Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is characterized by positional vertigo (brief attacks of rotatory vertigo triggered by head position changes in the direction of gravity) and is the most common peripheral cause of vertigo. There are two types of BPPV pathophysiology: canalolithiasis and cupulolithiasis. In canalolithiasis, otoconial debris is detached from the otolithic membrane and floats freely within the endolymph of the canal. In cupulolithiasis, the otoconial debris released from the otolithic membrane settles on the cupula of the semicircular canal and the specific gravity of the cupula is increased. Consensus has been reached regarding three subtypes of BPPV: posterior-canal-type BPPV (canalolithiasis), lateral-canal-type BPPV (canalolithiasis) and lateral-canal-type BPPV (cupulolithiasis). In the interview-based medical examination of BPPV, questions regarding the characteristics of vertigo, triggered movement of vertigo, duration of vertigo and cochlear symptoms during vertigo attacks are important for the diagnosis of BPPV. The Dix–Hallpike test is a positioning nystagmus test used for diagnosis of posterior-canal-type BPPV. The head roll test is a positional nystagmus test used for diagnosis of lateral-canal-type BPPV. When the Dix–Hallpike test is repeated, positional nystagmus and the feeling of vertigo typically become weaker. This phenomenon is called BPPV fatigue. The effect of BPPV fatigue typically disappears within 30 min, at which point the Dix–Hallpike test again induces clear positional nystagmus even though BPPV fatigue had previously caused the positional nystagmus to disappear. For the treatment of BPPV, sequential head movements of patients can cause the otoconial debris in the semicircular canal to move to the utricle. This series of head movements is called the canalith repositioning procedure (CRP). The appropriate type of CRP depends on the semicircular canal in which the otoconial debris is located. The CRP for posterior-canal-type BPPV is called the Epley maneuver, and the CRP for lateral-canal-type BPPV is called the Gufoni maneuver. Including a time interval between each head position in the Epley maneuver reduces the immediate effect of the maneuver. This finding can inform the development of methods for reducing the effort exerted by doctors and the discomfort experienced by patients with posterior-canal-type BPPV during the Epley maneuver.     

Treatment of benign positional vertigo using the semont maneuver: efficacy in patients presenting without nystagmus

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of the Semont liberatory maneuver on "objective" benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) defined as vertigo with geotropic nystagmus in Dix-Hallpike positioning versus "subjective" BPPV defined as vertigo without nystagmus in Dix-Hallpike positioning. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: One hundred sixty-two patients with positional vertigo during Dix- Hallpike positioning were identified. Patients were evaluated for the presence or absence of nystagmus. All patients underwent the Semont liberatory maneuver. The patient's condition at follow-up was documented at 3 weeks as complete, partial, or failure. Repeated procedures were performed if necessary. RESULTS: There were 127 cases of objective BPPV and 35 cases of subjective BPPV. Overall, 90% of all patients tested had significant improvement of their vertigo after 1.49 maneuvers on average. Improvement was seen in 91% of patients with objective BPPV after 1.59 maneuvers on average, compared with 86% in subjective BPPV after 1.13 maneuvers on average (chi2 test, not significant [P = .5]). Patients with a history of traumatic origin or cause had an overall success rate of 81% compared with 92% for nontraumatic causes or origins (chi2 test, not significant [P = .1]). Recurrences were seen in 29% of patients after a successful initial maneuver; however, 96% of these patients responded to further maneuvers. Four patients with persistent symptoms after conservative management underwent posterior semicircular canal occlusion with resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSION: The Semont liberatory maneuver provides relief of vertigo in patients with positional vertigo, even in patients without objective nystagmus.     

The effect of canalith repositioning for anterior semicircular canal canalithiasis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of our canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) of the anterior semicircular canal (ASC). We conducted a prospective study of 30 ASC BPPV patients to analyze the efficacy of a modified CRP. When the patient was diagnosed as having ASC BPPV by a specific provocative positioning test, a CRP was performed. The response to the treatment was categorized as grade I-IV. Of the 30 study patients, 6 were male and 24 were female with the highest incidence when the patients were in their 50s. The vertigo and nystagmus in 29 patients fully resolved (grade I). Using this maneuver, 96.7% of patients became symptom free. Overall, the maneuver needed to be performed 1.97 times to control the symptoms. Based on these findings, CRP could be one of the most effective treatment methods for ASC BPPV.     

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo without nystagmus: diagnosis and treatment

Nystagmus tests to diagnose BPPV are still relevant in the clinical evaluation of BPPV. However, in everyday practice, there are cases of vertigo caused by head movements, which do not follow this sign in the Dix-Hallpike maneuver and the turn test.AimTo characterize BPPV without nystagmus and treatment for it.Materials and methodsA non-systematic review of diagnosis and treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) without nystagmus in the PubMed, SciELO, Cochrane, BIREME, LILACS and MEDLINE databases in the years between 2001 and 2009.ResultsWe found nine papers dealing with BPPV without nystagmus, whose diagnoses were based solely on clinical history and physical examination. The treatment of BPPV without nystagmus was made by Epley maneuvers, Sémont, modified releasing for posterior semicircular canal and Brandt-Daroff exercises.ConclusionFrom 50% to 97.1% of the patients with BPPV without nystagmus had symptom remission, while patients with BPPV with nystagmus with symptom remission ranged from 76% to 100%. These differences may not be significant, which points to the need for more studies on BPPV without nystagmus.     

Clinical features of paroxysmal positional vertigo presenting combined lesions.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the common vestibular disorders. Canalolithiasis is thought to be a likely lesion. A canalith repositioning procedure (CRP by Epley) generally yields good resolution of vertigo and nystagmus. The authors confirmed the efficacy of this procedure on typical BPPV of the posterior semicircular canal type. We designed a new procedure for BPPV of the lateral canal type, which also yielded satisfactory results. BPPV sometimes presents a nystagmus pattern, which suggests multiple lesions. We have seen eight cases of BPPV showing nystagmus that combines both the posterior and the lateral canal types. Combined CRP was performed on these cases, which again gave good clinical results. Other BPPV cases were associated with central lesions. We must be aware that BPPV may involve multiple canals and may be associated with central lesions.     

Clinical features of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Our understanding of the pathomechanism of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) has improved dramatically. A type of BPPV featuring mixed torsional and vertical nystagmus induced by the Dix-Hallpike maneuver involves the posterior semicircular canal (P-BPPV). The other type of BPPV featuring horizontal nystagmus induced by spine-to-lateral head positioning involves the horizontal canal BPPV (H-BPPV). In complaints of vertigo or dizziness, 619 patients visited our department last year. Of these, 142 (23%) was had positional nystagmus consistent with a diagnosis of BPPV, 118 (19%) had no nystagmus but were suspected of BPPV due to vertigo episodes. BPPV was the most frequent diagnosis. H-BPPV was not rare, but accounted for 30% of BPPV. Of H-BPPV, 73% featured direction changing geotropic nystagmus, and 27% direction changing apogeotropic nystagmus. H-BPPV resolved faster than P-BPPV. Most cases caused by head trauma were P-BPPV. Transition between P- and H-BPPV was found in 6 cases. Women outnumbered men by about 3 to 2 in both P- and H-BPPV. Peak incidence was found in the those in their 60s and 70s, suggesting that the etiologies of both types of BPPV are essentially the same.     

Combined horizontal and posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in three patients with head trauma

We report 3 patients who complained of positional vertigo shortly after head trauma. Positional maneuvers performed in the plane of the posterior canal (PC; Dix-Hallpike maneuver) and the horizontal canal (HC; patients were rolled to either side in a supine position with the head raised 30 degrees) revealed a complex positional nystagmus that could only be interpreted as the result of combined PC and HC benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Two patients had a right PC BPPV and an ageotropic HC BPPV, and 1 patient had a bilateral PC BPPV and a left geotropic HC BPPV. All 3 patients were rapidly free of vertigo after the PC BPPV was cured by the Epley maneuver and the geotropic HC BPPV was cured by the Vannucchi method. The ageotropic HC BPPV resolved spontaneously. Neuroimaging (brain computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging scans) findings were normal in all 3 patients. From a physiopathological viewpoint, it is easy to conceive that head trauma could throw otoconial debris into different canals of each labyrinth and be responsible for these combined forms of BPPV. Consequently, in trauma patients with vertigo, it is mandatory to perform the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, as well as supine lateral head turns, in order to diagnose PC BPPV, HC BPPV, or the association of both. Early diagnosis and treatment of BPPV may help to reduce the postconcussion syndrome.     

上半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕的诊断及治疗

目的探讨上半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕（benign paroxysmal positional vertigo，BPPV）的诊断和治疗。方法回顾性分析了上半规管BPPV患者31例，并对所有患者采用管石复位法治疗后的效果进行评估。结果在Dix-Hallpike检查中，所有患者均诱发出垂直向下的眼震。22例（70．97％）患者一侧诱发出眼震，其中17例眼震伴有扭转成分，5例眼震不伴扭转成分。其余9例（29．03％）患者双侧诱发出现眼震，眼震伴有扭转成分的7例，其中2例眼震扭转方向指向同一侧，4例眼震的扭转方向不固定，1例患者仅一侧出现扭转成分。另外2例患者眼震不伴扭转成分。受累侧别明确诊断的19例（61．29％），其中11例为左侧上半规管受累，8例为右侧上半规管受累。受累侧别未明确诊断的12例（38．71％）。所有患者中，11例（35．48％）患者同时合并后半规管受累。对所有患者采取管石复位法治疗，21例（67．74％）痊愈，29例（93．55％）有效、2例（6．45％）无效。其中首次治愈14例（45．16％），平均治愈次数为1．71次。随访期间5例复发。结论上半规管BPPV临床中少见。在变位检查中，眼震的扭转成分较弱，临床中不易观察。在部分单侧上半规管BPPV患者中，双侧检查均能诱发眼震。管石复位法是治疗上半规管BPPV简单有效的手段。     

水平半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕的诊断

目的探讨水平半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕（BPPV）的诊断。方法自2003年1月至2006年9月，本眩晕中心共确诊为水平半规管BPPV（HSC BPPV）患者46例。诊断依据为典型的病史及用红外视频眼震电图仪记录患者在Dix—Hallpike试验和滚转试验中的眼震结果，并排除其他疾病。研究HSC BPPV的眼震特点。结果441例诊断为BPPV患者中，46例（10．43％）为水平半规管BPPV。其中38例（82．61％）为单侧病变，5例（10．87％）患者合并同侧后半规管病变，3例（6．52％）为双侧病变。35例患者通过两种试验诱发出水平眼震，11例患者仅通过滚转试验诱发出水平眼震。25例患者眼震方向向地，13例患者眼震方向背地，3例患者眼震方向不固定，5例患者各种手法诱发出同一方向的眼震。29例患者在双侧手法中出现眼震，17例患者在一侧手法中出现眼震。结论HSC BPPV眼震为完全水平性且多为快相向地。通常受累耳在双侧手法中均可出现眼震，以向患侧为重。一侧水平半规管和后半规管可同时受累。滚转试验在HSC BPPV检查中比Dix—Hallpike试验更加敏感。Dix—Hallpike试验结合滚转试验可使更多的HSCBPPV患者得到确诊．     

颗粒复位法治疗后半规管良性阵发位置性眩晕

目的 评价颗粒复位法治疗良性阵发性位置性眩晕的效果。方法 对１９９６年７月－１９９８年６月间治疗的３１一半规管性良性性位置性眩晕患者进行回顾分析。地规管耳右症假说,患者接受１次颗粒复位法治疗。治疗结束２周后复查并评价疗效。结果 ２１例患者的眩晕和眼一立刻或在１－２周内逐渐消失。６例改善,４例无效。总有效率８７．１％。结论 颗粒复位法对大多数良性阵发性位置性眩晕患者有效,推荐作为治疗该的首选方法。     

Delayed diagnosis and treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo associated with current practice

The purposes of this study were to demonstrate the current status of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) management and the advantages of repositioning maneuvers as well as to facilitate the accurate and efficient diagnosis and management of BPPV. Of 131 participants with severe dizziness/vertigo who were examined and treated, 31 (23.7 %) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for BPPV. All patients in the study had a diagnosis of BPPV confirmed by their history, typical subjective symptom reports, and characteristic positional nystagmus during the Dix–Hallpike test and/or roll test. All participants were comprehensively interviewed regarding their medical history, characteristics of the first attack of vertigo, associated symptoms, previous financial costs, and number of hospital visits. The average duration from the appearance of the first symptoms until a final diagnostic positional maneuver was >70 months. On average, patients visited hospitals more than eight times before the final diagnosis due to initial visits to inappropriate departments, including neurology, emergency, orthopaedic surgery, and Traditional Chinese Medicine, with a corresponding average financial cost of more than 5,000 RMB. The canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) was effective in 80.65 % of patients after the first repositioning maneuver. Our data demonstrated that despite the significant prevalence of BPPV, delays in diagnosis and treatment frequently occur, which have both cost and quality-of-life impacts on both patients and their caregivers. The CRP is very effective for patients with BPPV. It is important for patients to pay more attention to the impact of BPPV on their lives and recognize its nature to ensure compliant follow-up in otolaryngology.     

后半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕患者复位中眼震分析

目的 分析后半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕(posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo,PC-BPPV)患者复位中的眼震,探讨BPPV可能的发病机制.方法 2007年12月至2008年4月眩晕门诊就诊的66例PC-BPPV患者,详细记录病史、体位试验及复位中不同位置眼震的情况,对PC-BPPV患者可能发病机制进行探讨.结果 变位试验完伞符合贵阳会议诊断标准的66例PC-BPPV患者,采用改良Epley复位,视频眼震记录技术记录复位中四个位置的眼震方向及强度,24例患者复位中出现的眼震均为垂直扭转向上眼震;21例除第一个位置出现上向扭转眼震,其余三个位置眼震阴性;7例变位试验初诊PC-BPPV的患者在第二次复位中出现强烈水平眼震;14例患者复位的第二或第三个位置出现下向垂直眼震.由复位中不同位置出现的眼震分析,66例确诊为PC-BPPV的患者,52例复位中的表现符合管石及嵴顶耳石症理论,占78.8%.结论 除了目前公认的管石症及嵴顶耳石症理论外,推测部分PC-BPPV可能与耳石器官及球囊椭圆囊神经病变有关.     

Horizontal canal type BPPV: bilaterally affected case treated with canal plugging and Lempert's maneuver

A 54-year-old woman complained of positional vertigo. During 3 months' observation, the patient showed mostly geotropic or apogeotropic nystagmus due to right canalolithiasis or cupulolithiasis, however, she sometimes showed nystagmus which suggested left horizontal canalolithiasis. We suspected that she suffered from bilateral horizontal canal type benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and performed Lempert's maneuver for both directions, however, they were ineffective. She underwent canal plugging for right horizontal canal. After surgery she showed no positional nystagmus of right horizontal canal origin. However, apogeotropic nystagmus of the left horizontal canal origin was still observed. This nystagmus changed to geotropic nystagmus and finally disappeared following Lempert's maneuver for the left side. Bilateral horizontal canal BPPV is difficult to be resolved, probably because physical treatment for one side would move debris to the cupula in the other canal. Canal plugging combined with Lempert's maneuver to the other side is one treatment option for intractable bilateral horizontal canal BPPV.     

Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo in the general ear, nose, and throat clinic

Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo is a common disease which may be caused by abnormal movement of utricular debris in the posterior semicircular canal. It is diagnosed by the Dix-Hallpike positional maneuver eliciting vertigo and nystagmus. Treatment generally consists of physical exercises with the Epley or Semont maneuvers. We review 43 consecutive patients diagnosed as BPPV in the last year and treated with physical therapy (Epley maneuvers). Results were very good, with a cure rate of 88.37% (53.5% after a single maneuver). Physical therapy is an effective treatment for BPPV.     

三维滚轮耳石复位系统及其临床应用

目的 观察三维滚轮耳石复位系统治疗良性阵发性位置性眩晕的临床效果.方法 回顾性分析40例后半规管和水平半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕患者的临床资料,其中20例采用三维滚轮耳石复位系统进行复位治疗,20例采用手法复位治疗,对其疗效进行比较.结果 采用三维滚轮耳石复位系统治疗的患者中第1次治疗后有17例(85%)治愈,3例经过第2次治疗痊愈;采用手法复位的患者中第1次治疗后有16例(80%)治愈,4例经过第2次治疗痊愈.应用x2检验二者的差异没有统计学意义.结论 应用三维滚轮耳石复位系统治疗良性阵发性位置性眩晕临床效果可靠,弥补了手法复位的缺陷,效果直观,可重复性强.     

Prospective study of positional nystagmus in 100 consecutive patients

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the various diagnoses of patients who present with positional nystagmus. METHODS: Positional maneuvers were systematically performed in the plane of the posterior canal (PC; Dix-Hallpike maneuver) and the horizontal canal (HC; patients were rolled to either side in a supine position) on 490 consecutive patients essentially referred for vertigo and/or gait unsteadiness. RESULTS: One hundred patients (20%) presented positional nystagmus. This nystagmus had a peripheral origin in 83 patients, including 80 patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). In BPPV, the PC was involved in 61 patients, the HC in 18 patients (geotropic horizontal nystagmus in 11 and ageotropic in 7; changing from geotropic to ageotropic or the reverse in 4 patients), and both the PC and HC in 1 patient. There was evidence of central positional nystagmus in 12 patients, including positional downbeat nystagmus during the Dix-Hallpike maneuver in 7 patients with various neurologic disorders, and ageotropic horizontal nystagmus during the HC maneuver in 2 patients with, respectively, cerebellar ischemia and definite migrainous vertigo. The peripheral or central origin of the positional nystagmus could not be ascertained in 5 patients, including 1 patient with probable migrainous vertigo and another with possible anterior canal BPPV. CONCLUSIONS: A rotatory-upbeat nystagmus in the context of PC BPPV, a horizontal nystagmus, whether geotropic or ageotropic, due to HC BPPV, and a positional downbeat nystagmus related to various central disorders are the 3 most common types of positional nystagmus. Geotropic horizontal positional nystagmus and, most certainly, horizontal positional nystagmus changing from geotropic to ageotropic or the reverse point to HC BPPV. In contrast, an ageotropic horizontal positional nystagmus that is not changing (from ageotropic to geotropic) may indicate a central lesion.     

不同类型良性阵发性位置性眩晕的诊断和治疗

目的探讨不同类型良性阵发性位置性眩晕（benign paroxysmal positional vertigo，BPPV）的诊断和治疗方法。方法对我科2004年4月-2006年3月就诊的BPPV病人131例．应用红外线视频眼动记录分析变位试验诱发的眼震特点，进行分型、定侧，并采用相应的耳石复位技术治疗。结果（1）后半规管BPPV94例（71．8％），随机分组采用Epley管石复位法和Semont管石解脱法各47例。（2）水平半规管BPPV29例（22．1％），水平向地性眼震者16例，另13例为水平背地性眼震者，自行或采用Gufoni疗法后转换为水平向地性9例，方向不能转换4例。采用barbecue翻滚和／或强迫侧卧体位疗法。（3）前半规管BPPV6例（4．6％），采用Epley管石复位法。（4）混合型BPPV2例（1．5％），行上述相应半规管的疗法。1周后随访总有效率85．5％（112／131），3个月后92.4％（121／131）。结论BPPV的诊断和治疗应根据不同变位试验诱发的眼震特征判别不同半规管及不同发病机理类型，并选择合适的耳石复位技术治疗。     

动态平衡仪在良性阵发性位置性眩晕患者平衡功能评价及康复治疗中的应用价值

目的 探讨动态平衡仪在良性阵发性位置性眩晕(benign paroxysmal positional vertigo,BPPV)患者平衡功能评价及康复治疗中的应用价值.方法 回顾性分析2007年5月至2008年12月48例后半规管BPPV患者的临床资料.所有患者分别于Epley法复位前后行动静态平衡仪及冷热试验检查,并对结果进行分析比较.对于复位后眼震消失但仍有平衡障碍的患者采用动态平衡仪进行平衡康复训练,3周后再行动态平衡仪检查.结果 48例BPPV患者,Epley法复位前,冷热试验异常12例,占25.O%;静态平衡仪异常16例,占33.3%;动态平衡仪异常34例,占70.8%.经统计分析,动态平衡仪异常率高于冷热试验及静态平衡仪,差异具有统计学意义(χ2值分别为4.84和7.88,P值均＜O.05).Epley法复位治疗后,冷热试验异常7例,静态平衡仪异常4例,动态平衡仪异常8例.复位治疗后动态及静态平衡仪测试结果异常率明显降低,差异具有统计学意义(χ2值分别为24.04和1O.08,P值均＜0.05);而冷热试验结果无明显变化,治疗前后差异无统计学意义(χ2=3.2,P＞0.05).运用动态平衡仪对复位治疗后仍有平衡障碍的8例患者进行平衡康复训练,3周后所有患者平衡不稳感均消失,复查动态平衡仪结果均正常.结论 动态平衡仪可定量分析姿势平衡状态,有助于全面评价BPPV患者的平衡功能;BPPV患者多伴有平衡功能的降低,Epley法复位治疗可改善大部分患者的平衡功能,但并非所有患者平衡功能均恢复正常.运用动态平衡仪进行平衡康复训练对于已行耳石复位但仍有平衡障碍的患者有益.     

上半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕41例

目的 探讨上半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕(BPPV)诊断和治疗的最佳方案。方法 回顾性分析41例上半规管BPPV患者的病历资料,并对所有患者的诊断及复位进行评估分析。结果 SRM-Ⅳ模拟Dix-Hallpike试验诱发出典型垂直向下眼震28例(68.3%),其中眼震伴有向地扭转的成分19例,不伴有扭转成分9例;SRM-Ⅳ上半规管BPPV诱发试验诱发出典型垂直向下眼震35例(84.6%),其中眼震伴有向地扭转的成分30例,不伴有扭转成分5例。在所有41例患者中有38例能通过两种诱发试验对受累侧别做出判断,其中因诱发眼震伴有扭转成分而判断侧别30例,单侧诱发诱发出垂直向下眼震且不伴有扭转成分3例,双侧诱发出垂直向下眼震5例,且不伴有扭转成分,但因眩晕及眼震的强度有明显差别而判断出侧别,患者对受累侧别不能判断3例。在能判断出侧别的38例患者中有左侧上半规管受累25例,右侧上半规管受累13例。对41例采用SRM-Ⅳ上半规管BPPV复位法进行治疗,通过一次治疗痊愈28例,有效12例,无效1例。结论 上半规管BPPV 临床上被越来越重视,应用SRM-ⅣBPPV诊疗系统对上半规管BPPV进行诊治效果好,应该在临床得到推广。     

不同类型位置性眩晕的诊断及耳石复位治疗

目的探讨不同类型位置性眩晕(benign paroxysmal positional vertigo,BPPV)的诊断方法和半规管耳石复位法对BPPV的治疗效果及存在的问题。方法从2005年1月～2007年12月对疑似BPPV患者行变位性眼震试验,并对确诊为BPPV的96例患者行耳石复位治疗。结果所有BPPV患者经1～2次耳石复位治疗,症状完全消失者84例(87.5%);眩晕消失但遗有与体位变换无关的头昏、头重脚轻感者12例(12.5%),其中10例头部症状于1周内消失,2例于2周内消失。结论不同类型BPPV在诊断方式上存在差异,耳石复位治疗BPPV安全有效,应作为首选。