Question

A patient presents with dizziness. Romberg testing with the eyes open is normal, but with the eyes closed, the patient sways and almost falls over. Given this Romberg test result, pathology in which of the following systems is most likely?

A Cardiovascular
B Cerebellar
C Vestibular
D Visual

Answer 1

When a patient shows normal balance in the Romberg test with eyes open but has issues with balance when their eyes are closed, this likely indicates a problem with the proprioceptive or vestibular system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's presentation of normal balance during the Romberg test with eyes open but swaying and almost falling with eyes closed suggests the likelihood of proprioceptive or vestibular system pathology. When a patient's balance is dependent on proprioception and vestibular input due to a lack of visual cues, the inability to maintain balance implies a dysfunction in these systems. Since the cerebellum and the visual systems seem to operate normally with eyes open, it's more likely that the pathology lies within the proprioceptive or vestibular inputs that contribute to equilibrium when visual information is absent.