Cervical vertigo is characterized by vertigo from the cervical spine. However, whether cervical
vertigo is an independent entity still remains controversial. In this narrative review, we
outline the basic science and clinical evidence for cervical vertigo according to the current
literature. So far, there are 4 different hypotheses explaining the vertigo of a cervical origin,
including proprioceptive cervical vertigo, Barré-Lieou syndrome, rotational vertebral artery
vertigo, and migraine-associated cervicogenic vertigo. Proprioceptive cervical vertigo and
rotational vertebral artery vertigo have survived with time. Barré-Lieou syndrome once was
discredited, but it has been resurrected recently by increased scientific evidence. Diagnosis
depends mostly on patients’ subjective feelings, lacking positive signs, specific laboratory
examinations and clinical trials, and often relies on limited clinical experiences of clinicians.
Neurological, vestibular, and psychosomatic disorders must first be excluded before the
dizziness and unsteadiness in cervical pain syndromes can be attributed to a cervical origin.
Treatment for cervical vertigo is challenging. Manual therapy is recommended for treatment
of proprioceptive cervical vertigo. Anterior cervical surgery and percutaneous laser disc
decompression are effective for the cervical spondylosis patients accompanied with BarréLiéou syndrome. As to rotational vertebral artery vertigo, a rare entity, when the exact area of
the arterial compression is identified through appropriate tests such as magnetic resonance
angiography (MRA), computed tomography angiography (CTA) or digital subtraction
angiography (DSA) decompressive surgery should be the chosen treatment.
Key words: Cervical vertigo, dizziness, whiplash injury, neck pain, cervical spondylosis,
manual therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, vertebrobasilar insufficiency
Anterior Cervical Surgery for the Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache Caused by Cervical Spondylosis
