Multiple sclerosis with isolated vertigo and nystagmus as the initial manifestation: a case report

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Author: LIANG Yun ¹  ZENG Xiaoyun ² ZHOU Jie ² XU Peng ² FENG Yufei ²

Affiliation: 1.Faculty of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China 2.Department of Neurology, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Wuhan 430033, China

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis Isolated vertigo Nystagmus Vestibular function test Clinically isolated syndrome

DOI: 10.12173/j.issn.1004-4337.202512073

Reference: Citation:Liang Y, Zeng XY, Zhou J, et al. Multiple sclerosis with isolated vertigo and nystagmus as the initial manifestation: a case report[J]. Journal of Mathematical Medicine, 2026, 39(6): 454-457. DOI: 10.12173/j.issn.1004-4337.202512073.[Article in Chinese]  Copied

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Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease primarily characterized by inflammatory demyelination of the white matter in the central nervous system. The clinical manifestations of MS are diverse and include visual disturbances, limb weakness, sensory abnormalities, ataxia, and autonomic dysfunction. This report describes a case of MS diagnosed by positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IgG oligoclonal bands, presenting with isolated vertigo as the initial symptom. The patient was a 39-year-old woman who presented with an acute onset of persistent vertigo accompanied by nystagmus. Vestibular function test revealed reduced left peripheral vestibular function, and she had a history of a diagnosis of vestibular neuritis. By reviewing the data from this case, we aim to enhance clinicians' awareness of MS presenting with an acute vestibular syndrome-like episode as the initial manifestation and reduce misdiagnosis.

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References

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