The test and treatment methods of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and an addition to the management of vertigo due to the superior vestibular canal (BPPV‐SC)

A review of the tests and treatment manoeuvres for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior, horizontal and superior vestibular canals is presented. Additionally, a new way to test and treat positional vertigo of the superior vestibular canal is presented. In a prospective study, 57 out of 305 patients' visits are reported. They had residual symptoms and dizziness after the test and the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the horizontal canal (BPPV‐HC) and posterior canal (PC). They were tested with a new test and treated with a new manoeuvre for superior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV‐SC). Results for vertigo in 53 patients were good; motion sickness and acrophobia disappeared. Reactive neck tension to BPPV was relieved. Older people were numerous among patients and their quality of life (QOL) improved.     

继发性后半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕的诊治

目的 探讨继发性良性阵发性位置性眩晕(BPPV)的诊断和治疗。方法研究继发性后半规管BPPV的内耳疾病6例病历资料,诊断依据为病史及Dix-Hallpike试验诱导出现的眼震结果。结果 6例内耳疾病(分别为突发性聋3例, 梅尼埃病2例, 前庭神经元炎1例)伴有后半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕被确诊,通过Dix-Hallpike试验诱发出垂直扭转型眼震。结论 继发性BPPV临床较少见,常为后半规管受累,通过Dix-Hallpike试验和Epley手法复位可以确诊和治愈。     

Repositioning maneuver for the treatment of the apogeotropic variant of horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a new physical maneuver in the treatment of the apogeotropic variant of horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. STUDY DESIGN: Case review. SETTING: Outpatient clinic. PATIENTS: The diagnosis of apogeotropic horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was based on the history of recurrent sudden crisis of vertigo associated with bursts of horizontal apogeotropic paroxysmal nystagmus provoked by turning the head from the supine to either lateral position. The patients were three men and five women ranging in age from 31 to 73 years (average, 49.2 yr). INTERVENTIONS: All patients were treated with a repositioning maneuver based on the hypothesis that the syndrome is caused by the presence of free-floating dense particles inside the endolymph of the anterior arm of the horizontal canal. The maneuver favors their shifting into the posterior arm of the canal. Patients were reexamined immediately after the treatment and underwent Gufoni's liberatory maneuver for the geotropic variant of horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The treatment outcome was considered as responsive when, after one repositioning maneuver, nystagmus shifted from apogeotropic to geotropic. RESULTS: The repositioning maneuver resulted in a transformation from the apogeotropic variant into a geotropic variant of horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in all patients. CONCLUSION: This maneuver represents a simple and effective approach to the treatment of the apogeotropic variant of horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It favors the shifting of the canaliths from the anterior into the posterior arm of the horizontal canal from where they can migrate into the utricle with Gufoni's maneuver.     

Clinical characteristics of patients with multi-canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

IntroductionMulti-canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is considered to be a rare and controversial type in the new diagnostic guidelines of Bárány because the nystagmus is more complicated or atypical, which is worthy of further study.ObjectiveBased on the diagnostic criteria for multi-canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo proposed by International Bárány Society, the study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of multi-canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.MethodsA total of 41 patients with multi-canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo were included and diagnosed by Roll, Dix-Hallpike and straight head hanging tests. Manual reduction was performed according to the involvement of semicircular canals.ResultsAmong the 41 cases, 19 (46.3%) patients showed vertical up-beating nystagmus with or without torsional component and geotropic, apogeotropic horizontal nystagmus, and were diagnosed with posterior-horizontal canal. 11 (26.8%) patients showed vertical up-beating nystagmus with torsional component on one side and vertical down-beating nystagmus with or without torsional component on the other side during Dix-Hallpike test or straight head hanging test and were diagnosed with posterior-anterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo 9 (26.8%) patients showed vertical down-beating nystagmus with or without torsional component and geotropic, apogeotropic horizontal nystagmus, and were diagnosed with anterior-horizontal canal 2 (4.9%) patients showed vertical geotropic torsional up-beating nystagmus on both sides and were diagnosed with bilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. High correlation between the sides with reduced vestibular function or hearing loss and the side affected by Multi-canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was revealed (contingency coefficient = 0.602, p = 0.010). During one-week follow up, nystagmus/vertigo has been significantly alleviated or disappeared in 87.8% (36/41) patients.ConclusionPosterior-horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was the most common type. Multi-canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo involving anterior canal was also not uncommon. Caloric tests and pure tone audiometry may help in the determination of the affected side. Manual reduction was effective in most of Multi-canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo patients.     

咳嗽对良性阵发性位置性眩晕手法复位疗效的影响

目的：分析患良性阵发性位置性眩晕（BPPV）的慢性咳嗽患者经手法复位治疗后的疗效,为BPPV的综合治疗及病因探索提供帮助。方法：分析2009—10—2012—12期间400例BPPV患者的治疗效果,包括观察患者的症状和行体位试验检查。结果：后半规管BPPV的一次治疗成功率为93．4％,水平半规管BPPV治疗成功率为83．0％。在400例BPPV患者中随访到372例,一次治疗成功的复诊患者中,有35例复位治疗好转后又出现阵发性眩晕发作,再次行手法复位仍取得良好效果。追问病史,有29例存在不同程度的咳嗽。控制咳嗽后再行手法复位治疗,眩晕症状消失,随访半年未再发作。结论：BPPV的发生机制可能与咳嗽所致的头部震动有关。     

Persistent vertigo following particle repositioning maneuvers: an analysis of causes

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the causes of persistent vertigo following treatment with particle repositioning maneuvers (PRMs) in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. DESIGN: Prospective study of outcomes in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. STUDY SETTING: Outpatient clinic of a tertiary care referral center. PATIENTS: A sample of 90 consecutive patients with documented benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior semicircular canal who had persistent vertigo after at least 3 sessions of PRMs during a period of 2 weeks. INTERVENTION: Particle repositioning using a modified Epley maneuver. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Persistent vertigo following at least 3 sessions of PRMs over a period of 2 weeks. RESULTS: Seven patients showed partial or no improvement following treatment. The causes subsequently determined included coincident horizontal canal positional vertigo (2 cases), Ménière's disease (2 cases), persistent posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in association with cervical spondylosis (2 cases), and a posterior fossa meningioma (1 case). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with persistent or frequently recurring positional vertigo following treatment with PRMs should undergo detailed investigation to exclude coincidental pathology for which specific treatment is required. In patients in whom no coincident pathology requiring therapy is identified, treatment options other than the PRM already instituted should be considered.     

Dynamics of canal response to head-shaking test in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

CONCLUSIONS: Time constant and maximum slow phase velocity (SPV) of head-shaking nystagmus (HSN) demonstrated a differential canal response to head shaking in 24% of patients with posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). We suggest that vestibular lithiasis has a limited contribution to the mechanism that generates HSN. OBJECTIVE: To determine the canal response to head shaking in BPPV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a case-control study including 104 individuals with BPPV. The diagnosis was based on the presence of vertigo and nystagmus during the positional test. Subjects were examined by the horizontal and vertical head-shaking test. Eye movements were recorded on a video camera to analyze the nystagmus. The head was shaken passively in the horizontal and sagittal planes, respectively, for horizontal and vertical HSN at a frequency of 2 Hz. HSN was considered when six consecutive beats of nystagmus with an SPV of at least 2 degrees/s were detected. Main outcome measures were the presence of horizontal and vertical HSN, maximum SPV of HSN, time constant of HSN, and canal paresis. RESULTS: Maximum SPV of vertical HSN was higher in BPPV patients with posterior canal BPPV (n = 10) than in controls (p = 0.04). Moreover, the time constant of vertical HSN was significantly lower for posterior canal BPPV when compared with controls (p < 0.02).     

以持续性眩晕为表现的水平半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕的诊治

目的　探讨以持续性眩晕为表现的良性阵发性位置性眩晕（benign paroxysmal positional vertigo,BPPV）患者的诊治。方法　回顾性分析2例以持续性眩晕为表现的BPPV患者的临床资料。结果　此2例患者在坐位及平躺位见方向向患侧的水平自发持续性眼震,甩头试验健侧阳性,平卧侧头试验双侧均诱发出水平离地性眼震,平躺后头部向患侧连续转360°时分别出现2个眼震消失点和2个眼震最强点,给予手法复位后患者眩晕症状缓解。结论　水平半规管BPPV患者偶可表现为持续性眩晕发作,其病因为壶腹嵴帽耳石症,临床表现与耳石重力因素和水平半规管空间位置相关。     

手法复位治疗良性阵发性位置性眩晕36例

目的 评价体位治疗在良性阵发性位置性眩晕（BPPV）的应用价值。方法 回顾性分析36例原发性或继发性BPPV的临床资料,后半规管BPPV采用改良Epley手法或Semont手法复位,水平半规管采用Barbecue翻滚疗法复位治疗,评价其治疗效果。结果 33例后半规管BPPV患者应用改良Epley手法或Semont手法复位,有效率为93.9%。3例水平半规管BPPV患者采取Barbecue翻滚法复位后症状均明显改善。结论 手法复位治疗良性阵发性位置性眩晕方法简单,疗效可靠,治愈率高。     

Multiple positional nystagmus suggests multiple canal involvement in benign paroxysmal vertigo

CONCLUSION: Video-oculography demonstrates a higher occurrence of atypical positional nystagmus in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This includes anterior and horizontal canal variants and multiple positional nystagmus, suggesting combined lesions affecting several canals. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the video-oculographic findings of positional tests in patients with BPPV. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy individuals with symptoms of BPPV and positional nystagmus were included in this study. The diagnosis was based on a history of brief episodes of vertigo and the presence of positional nystagmus as confirmed by video-oculographic examination during the Dix-Hallpike test, the McClure test or the head-hanging manoeuvre. Patients were treated by means of different particle repositioning manoeuvres according to the affected canal (Epley's manoeuvre for the posterior or anterior canals and Lempert's manoeuvre for the lateral canal) and the effectiveness was evaluated at 7 and 30 days. RESULTS: Twenty-nine individuals (41.43%) presented an affected unilateral posterior canal. Fifteen patients (21.43%) presented a pure horizontal direction-changing positional nystagmus consistent with a diagnosis of horizontal canal BPPV. Twelve individuals (17.14%) presented a unilateral down-beating nystagmus, suggesting possible anterior canal BPPV. In addition, 14 patients (20%) showed multiple positional nystagmus during the examination corresponding to simultaneous multi-canal BPPV, 5 had bilateral posterior canal BPPV and 2 presented a positional down-beating nystagmus in both left and right Dix-Hallpike manoeuvres and the head-hanging manoeuvre, which is highly suggestive of anterior canal BPPV. However, seven individuals showed positional horizontal and vertical side-changing nystagmus that could not be explained by single-canal BPPV. These patients with multiple positional nystagmus showed changing patterns of positional nystagmus at follow-up.     

Dynamics of canal response to head-shaking test in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Conclusions. Time constant and maximum slow phase velocity (SPV) of head-shaking nystagmus (HSN) demonstrated a differential canal response to head shaking in 24% of patients with posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). We suggest that vestibular lithiasis has a limited contribution to the mechanism that generates HSN. Objective. To determine the canal response to head shaking in BPPV. Patients and methods. This was a case-control study including 104 individuals with BPPV. The diagnosis was based on the presence of vertigo and nystagmus during the positional test. Subjects were examined by the horizontal and vertical head-shaking test. Eye movements were recorded on a video camera to analyze the nystagmus. The head was shaken passively in the horizontal and sagittal planes, respectively, for horizontal and vertical HSN at a frequency of 2 Hz. HSN was considered when six consecutive beats of nystagmus with an SPV of at least 2°/s were detected. Main outcome measures were the presence of horizontal and vertical HSN, maximum SPV of HSN, time constant of HSN, and canal paresis. Results. Maximum SPV of vertical HSN was higher in BPPV patients with posterior canal BPPV (n=10) than in controls (p=0.04). Moreover, the time constant of vertical HSN was significantly lower for posterior canal BPPV when compared with controls (p<0.02).     

360°滚转复位法治疗良性阵发性位置性眩晕

目的明确在后半规管平面360&#176;旋转患者对治疗典型的后半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕是否有效。方法回顾分析了46例后半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕患者,其中25例采用三维滚轮360&#176;滚转复位法进行复位治疗,21例采用Epley手法复位治疗,对其疗效进行比较。结果采用三维滚轮360。滚转复位法治疗的患者中第一次治疗后有23例患者（92％）治愈,2例患者经过第二次治疗治愈;采用Epley手法复位的患者中第一次治疗后有19例患者（91.5％）治愈,2例患者经过第二次治疗治愈。应用X^2检验（α=0.05,X^2=0.1173,P=0.7319）二者的差异没有统计学意义。结论三维滚轮360&#176;滚转复位法能有效的治疗后半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕,其成功率及效果与Epley法一致,且操作简便、舒适度优于传统方法。     

Walk-rotate-walk test identifies patients responding to Lempert’s maneuver, with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the horizontal canal

Two hundred and fifteen patients were diagnosed and treated for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the horizontal canal (BPPV-HC). All patients were tested with conventional positional nystagmus tests lying supine and rotating head for geotropic nystagmus, registered with Frenzels glasses, and in 109 cases with ENG. The walk-rotate-walk (WRW) test, developed by one of us (T.R.) and described in the text, was applied to all patients. The immediate good treatment results with Lempert’s maneuver verify the correct diagnosis of BPPV-HC. The WRW test is a more sensitive test for BPPV-HC than earlier positional tests. The unhabituated acute phase of vestibular neuritis shows positive test results and must be eliminated with caloric tests. The WRW test identifies as a dynamic test patients with symptoms of even lesser magnitude, where the compensatory capacity of the equilibrium system suppresses the diagnostic findings with earlier positional horizontal canal tests. Received: 14 December 2000 / Accepted: 5 February 2001     

Canal switch after canalith repositioning procedure for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Canal switch is a complication following canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) for posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Instead of being returned to the utricle, the loose otoconia migrate into the superior or horizontal semicircular canal. Patients remain symptomatic, and treatment can be ineffective unless the switch is recognized and additional repositioning maneuvers directed toward the appropriate semicircular canal are performed. This report provides the first videographic documentation of canal switch involving conversion of unilateral posterior semicircular canal BPPV to geotropic horizontal canalithiasis. Laryngoscope, 2012.     

Multiple positional nystagmus suggests multiple canal involvement in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Conclusion. Video-oculography demonstrates a higher occurrence of atypical positional nystagmus in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This includes anterior and horizontal canal variants and multiple positional nystagmus, suggesting combined lesions affecting several canals. Objective. To analyse the video-oculographic findings of positional tests in patients with BPPV. Material and methods. Seventy individuals with symptoms of BPPV and positional nystagmus were included in this study. The diagnosis was based on a history of brief episodes of vertigo and the presence of positional nystagmus as confirmed by video-oculographic examination during the Dix–Hallpike test, the McClure test or the head-hanging manoeuvre. Patients were treated by means of different particle repositioning manoeuvres according to the affected canal (Epley's manoeuvre for the posterior or anterior canals and Lempert's manoeuvre for the lateral canal) and the effectiveness was evaluated at 7 and 30 days. Results. Twenty-nine individuals (41.43%) presented an affected unilateral posterior canal. Fifteen patients (21.43%) presented a pure horizontal direction-changing positional nystagmus consistent with a diagnosis of horizontal canal BPPV. Twelve individuals (17.14%) presented a unilateral down-beating nystagmus, suggesting possible anterior canal BPPV. In addition, 14 patients (20%) showed multiple positional nystagmus during the examination corresponding to simultaneous multi-canal BPPV, 5 had bilateral posterior canal BPPV and 2 presented a positional down-beating nystagmus in both left and right Dix–Hallpike manoeuvres and the head-hanging manoeuvre, which is highly suggestive of anterior canal BPPV. However, seven individuals showed positional horizontal and vertical side-changing nystagmus that could not be explained by single-canal BPPV. These patients with multiple positional nystagmus showed changing patterns of positional nystagmus at follow-up.     

Postural control in horizontal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Sixteen patients affected by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the horizontal semicircular canal (BPPV-HSC) were investigated by means of dynamic posturography (DP) and during bithermal caloric stimulation. Data were compared to data from 40 patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior semicircular canal (BPPV-PSC) and 20 healthy controls. No postural deficit was observed before or after a liberative Lempert’s manoeuvre when patients were compared to control subjects. BPPV-PSC postural scores were significantly impaired compared to scores from the BPPV-HSC group. A residual significant postural impairment was also observed after a successful liberative manoeuvre in the BPPV-PSC group. Electronystagmographic recordings before recovery revealed significant hypoexcitability of the affected ear in 8/16 patients of the BPPV-HSC group. After the liberative manoeuvre, a symmetric bilateral response to caloric stimulation was recorded in all patients. Three main conclusions can be drawn from the present data. First, disorders of the horizontal semicircular canal do not change postural control. Second, dynamic posturography can detect the postural imbalance due to posterior semicircular canal dysfunction even after resolution of paroxysmal vertigo attacks. Third, utricular dysfunction can be ruled out as a cause of the residual postural deficit observed in BPPV-PSC patients. Therefore the recovery delay observed even 1 month after the liberative manoeuvre in the BPPV-PSC-group might be due to the persistence of small amounts of residual debris in the canal, to paralysis of ampullar receptors, or to the time needed for central vestibular re-adaptation. Received: 2 December 1999 / Accepted: 17 February 2000     

良性阵发性位置性眩晕患者温度试验结果比较

目的比较后半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕 （posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, PSC-BPPV）和外半规管BPPV（horizontalsemicircularcanalBPPV,HSC-BPPV）温度实验结果的差异。方法2006～2008年门诊原发性BPPV患者177例,其中单侧PSC—BPPV患者152例,单侧HSC-BPPV患者25例,Dix-Hallpike及翻转试验检查后做温度实验检查,分析半规管轻瘫（canalparesis,CP）和优势偏向（directi0138Ipreponderance,DP）。结果①CP结果：PSC—BPPV患侧CP64例（42．1％）,健侧CP44例（28。9％）,两者差异有显著性（X2=5．74,P〈0．05）;HSC-BPPV患侧CP16例（64％）,健侧CP9例（36％）,两者差异有显著性（X2=3．92,P〈0．05）;PSC-BPPV患者实际病变侧别与温度试验显示的CP侧别一致的有46例（30．3％）,HSC．BPPV患者实际病变侧别与温度试验显示的CP侧别一致的有13例（52％）,两者差异有显著性（X2=4．56,P〈0．05）：②DP结果：PSC-BPPV患者DP13例,HSC．BPPV患者DP1O例,经统计学分析有显著性差异（X2=16．10,P〈0．01）。结论①HSC—BPPV及PSC．BPPV患者温度试验患侧CP发生率明显高于健侧;②HSC-BPPV患者温度试验CP发生率明显高于PSC．BPPV患者;⑨HSC．BPPV患者温度试验DP发生率明显高于PSC—BPPV患者。     

Value of lying-down nystagmus in the lateralization of horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

BACKGROUND: Horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is characterized by horizontal direction-changing nystagmus induced by lateral head turning in supine position. According to Ewald's second law, the direction of head turning that creates a stronger response represents the affected side in geotropic nystagmus and the healthy side in apogeotropic nystagmus. However, it may not always be possible to lateralize the involved ear only by comparing the intensity of the nystagmus. We studied the values of nystagmus induced by position change from sitting to supine in the lateralization of horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. METHODS: A retrospective study of 54 patients who had been diagnosed as having horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo at the Dizziness Clinic of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from May 2003 to February 2004 was performed. The directions of the nystagmus induced by lying down were compared with those determined by Ewald's second law. RESULTS: Of the 54 patients, 32 (20 apogeotropic and 12 geotropic) showed horizontal nystagmus induced by lying down. The nystagmus tended to be ipsilesional in apogeotropic patients (80%) and contralesional in their geotropic counterparts (75%). CONCLUSION: In horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, lying-down nystagmus mostly beats toward the involved ear in the apogeotropic type and directs to the healthy ear in the geotropic type. The direction of lying-down nystagmus may help lateralizing the involved ear in horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.     

同时性后半规管与水平半规管性良性位置性眩晕

目的：探讨同时性后半规管与水平半规管性良性位置性眩晕（混合性良性位置性眩晕）的诊治方法。方法：联合应用Epley手法和Barbecue翻滚法对4例患者进行治疗，两次治疗间隔1d。结果：4例患者眩晕症状完全消失，随访至今无复发。结论：混合性良性位置性眩晕兼有后半规管与水平半规管性良性位置性眩晕的临床表现，联合采用Epley手法和Barbecue翻滚法治疗该病是可行的。     

Practical approach to recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common vestibular disorder and it has a significant impact on health-related quality of life. The disease is probably caused by the accumulation of lithiasis material from the otolithic membrane of the utricle. Patients experience multiple short vertigo crises lasting seconds when they go to bed or turn over. There are several clinical variants affecting posterior, horizontal or anterior canals and in some cases vestibular lithiasis can occur in two canals simultaneously. Diagnosis is by video-oculographic recording of positional nystagmus during positional tests to identify the canal affected. There are specific treatment manoeuvres for each clinical variant, which a high degree of short-term effectiveness.