The 360-degree maneuver for treatment of benign positional vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether rotating a patient 360 degrees in the plane of the posterior semicircular canal is effective in treating classic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The study also compares the features of the Epley maneuver and the Semont maneuver and correlates them to the 360-degree maneuver. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective analysis of 31 patients presenting with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo who were treated using the multiaxial positioning device. A questionnaire was administered immediately after each treatment. SETTING: The study was carried out in a private practice referral clinic for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. PATIENTS: Subjects consisted of 31 adults who ranged in age from 44 to 95 years. INTERVENTION: Thirty-one patients were treated using the 360-degree maneuver. A multiaxial positioning device was used to rotate patients completely upside down and back into the starting position in the proper plane. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjective improvement scores, tolerability, objective nystagmus observations, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Subjective improvement rates were 90% after one treatment; 97% were symptom-free and nystagmus-free after a maximum of three treatment sessions. Eighty-seven percent found the procedure quite tolerable from an ergonomic standpoint. CONCLUSION: The 360-degree maneuver can be effective in treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Its rate of success is comparable to the rate of success of the standard Epley maneuver. On analysis, it is strikingly similar to the Epley and Semont maneuvers.     

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。     

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.     

耳石复位法治疗良性阵发性位置性眩晕32例

目的 探讨耳石复位法治疗良性阵发性位置性眩晕（BPPV）的的效果。方法 应用Epley管石复位法、Semont管石解脱法及Barbecue翻滚法对良性阵发性位置性眩晕32例予以治疗。结果 32例中经耳石复位法治愈27例(84.4%)，有效 3例(9.4%)，复位失败2例(6.3%)，后经前庭功能训练治愈。结论 耳石复位法是BPPV的首选治疗方法，对于复位失败的患者前庭功能训练可获得较好的疗效。     

手法复位治疗良性阵发性位置性眩晕

目的回顾性分析60例良性阵发性位置性眩晕（BPPV）诊断和治疗方法,为提高BPPV疗效提供参考依据。方法60例患者（男34例,女26例）通过常规神经耳科学检查、Dix—Hallpike和滚转试验确诊为BPPV。40例在发病10天内就诊,6N在发病1月内就诊,10例在5月内就诊,4例在6月以上就诊。采用Semont摆动手法、Epley颗粒复位法和Barbecue翻滚疗法治疗。对治疗1次无效者间隔7天重复治疗,重复3次无效者采用其它方法治疗。完成冶疗后2周复查评定疗效。结果后半规管BPPV54例,22例采用Semont手法复位治疗,14例痊愈,4例改善,4例无效。4例无效改用Epley颗粒复位法。Epley颗粒复位法治疗36例,28例痊愈,4例改善,4例无效。6例外半规管BPPV采用Barbecue翻滚疗法治疗4例痊愈,2例无效。40例10天内就诊者治愈32例,8例改善。6例发病1月内就诊者治愈2例,改善4例。10例5月内就诊者4例痊愈,4例改善,2例无效。4例6月以上就诊者治疗3次均无效。46例治疗1次有效,4例患者治疗2次有效,4例患者治疗3次有效。结论手法复位治疗BPPV有效率高,BPPV治疗效果与发病至就诊时间相关。     

Treatment of benign positional vertigo in the elderly: a randomized trial

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of three therapeutic strategies (Semont maneuver, flunarizine, and no treatment) in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized prospective trial. METHODS: One hundred fifty-six consecutive patients older than 60 years of age who were affected by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior semicircular canal were enrolled. The diagnosis was made on the basis of the history of recurrent sudden crisis of vertigo and positional-induced typical nystagmus after Dix-Hallpike positioning maneuver. Patients were randomly allocated to receive Semont liberatory maneuver (intended as a statoconia-detachment maneuver), flunarizine, or no treatment. A post-treatment negative Dix-Hallpike test result was considered as a proof of vertigo resolution. RESULTS: Cure rates with Semont maneuver were significantly higher (94.2%) than those obtained with flunarizine (57.7%) and no treatment (36.4%) (P <.001). Within a 6-month follow-up, relapse rates were lower among patients treated with Semont maneuver (3.8%) than those obtained with flunarizine (5.8%) and no treatment (21.1%). All patients with resolution of symptoms and negative Dix-Hallpike test results showed a great improvement in daily activities and quality of life (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Semont liberatory maneuver is the most successful therapy for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and improves patients' quality of life. Diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers are easy to perform and should be part of the medical knowledge of every general practitioner and geriatrician.     

Subjective benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in patients with osteoporosis or migraine

IntroductionSubjective benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a form of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in which during the diagnostic positional maneuvers patients only present vertigo symptoms with no nystagmus.ObjectiveTo study the characteristics of subjects with subjective benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.MethodsProspective multicenter case-control study. All patients presenting with vertigo in the Dix-Hallpike test that presented to the participating hospitals were included. The patients were separated into two groups depending on whether nystagmus was present or not. An Epley Maneuver of the affected side was performed. In the follow-up visit, patients were checked to see if nystagmus and vertigo were present. Both groups of patients were compared to assess the success rate of the Epley maneuver and also to compare the presence of 19 variables.Results259 patients were recruited, of which 64 belonged to the subjective group. Nystagmus was eliminated in 67.2% of the patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. 89.1% of the patients with subjective benign paroxysmal positional vertigo remained unaffected by nystagmus, thus showing a significant difference (p = 0.001). Osteoporosis and migraine were the variables which reached the closest to the significance level. In those patients who were taking vestibular suppressors, the percentage of subjective benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was not significantly higher.ConclusionsSubjective benign paroxysmal positional vertigo should be treated using the Epley maneuver. More studies are needed to establish a relationship between osteoporosis, migraine and subjective benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The use of vestibular suppressants does not affect the detection of nystagmus.     

Treatment variations on the Epley maneuver for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

PURPOSE: To determine if using more head rotation during the Epley maneuver or specific posttreatment instructions for sleeping position would affect treatment effectiveness, compared with the usual maneuver without extra instructions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with unilateral benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior semicircular canal were randomized to a standard Epley maneuver group, a group that received an additional 45 degrees head rotation during the maneuver (Augmented Epley), and a group that received instructions about sleeping position after treatment. RESULTS: Posttests from 1 week to 6 months showed no differences in vertigo intensity or frequency or responses to the Dix-Hallpike maneuver. All groups showed significant decreases in vertigo and Dix-Hallpike responses. Some subjects in each group had abnormal pretreatment scores on computerized dynamic posturography. Those subjects in the Augmented Epley group who had abnormal pretreatment posturography scores had significantly better posttreatment scores than those subjects in the Home Instruction group who had abnormal pretreatment scores. All subjects with abnormal responses, however, showed improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Although clinicians continue to give patients home instructions and to use additional head rotation during the maneuver, these variations are not essential for achieving improvement in symptoms.     

Canalith repositioning for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of canalith repositioning maneuvers (Semont, Epley, and modified maneuvers) in the treatment of posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in comparison to the rate of resolution in the untreated control cohort. DATA SOURCES: Source articles were identified by a MEDLINE search of English language sources before 2004 plus manual crosschecks of bibliographies from identified articles, selected national meeting abstracts, review article references, and textbook chapters. STUDY SELECTION: Each controlled trial that compared canalith repositioning patients to untreated control subjects in posterior canal benign positional vertigo (blinded and unblinded) was reviewed for inclusion. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were abstracted systematically, scaled on validity and comparability, and cross-checked independently by another author. DATA SYNTHESIS: Studies were combined with fixed effects meta-analysis to estimate spontaneous resolution, 95% confidence intervals (CI) of effect size, and heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Canalith repositioning is more effective than observation alone for the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, despite spontaneous resolution rates of one in three at 3 weeks. Public health implications are discussed, based on the high frequency of unrecognized BPPV reported in elderly patients, and the improvements after canalith repositioning in postural control and health-related quality of life (SF 36 Health Survey) documented in the literature.     

Benign paroxysmal vertigo: a comparative prospective study of the efficacy of Brandt and Daroff exercises, Semont and Epley maneuver.

We performed a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of three physical treatments for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: Brandt & Daroff habituation exercises, the Semont manoevre (intended as a statoconia-detachment maneuver), and the Epley maneuver (intended as a statoconia-repositioning maneuver). A total of 106 BPPV patients were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups, and responses were evaluated one week, one month and three months after the initial treatment. At the one-week follow-up, similar cure rates were obtained with the Semont and Epley maneuver (74% and 71% respectively), both cure rates being significantly higher than that obtained with Brandt & Daroff exercises (24%). By the three-month follow-up, the cure rate obtained with the Epley maneuver was higher (93%) than that obtained with the Semont maneuver (77%), though both remained higher than that obtained with the Brandt & Daroff maneuver (62%). However, the proportion of initially responding patients showing subsequent relapse was lower among patients treated by the Semont maneuver than among patients treated by the Epley maneuver. In view of these findings, we propose a treatment algorithm for patients with BPPV.     

氟桂利嗪联合手法复位治疗后半规管原发性良性阵发性位置性眩晕的临床疗效观察

目的探讨氟桂利嗪联合手法复位治疗后半规管原发性良性阵发性位置性眩晕(posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysman positional vertigo,PC-BPPV)的治疗效果。方法对96例原发性PC-BPPV患者随机分为单纯手法治疗(Epley管石复位法)与联合氟桂利嗪进行治疗,观察治疗效果。结果经1次手法复位治疗后症状消失或明显减轻,一次治愈率两组基本相同。治疗4wk后,治疗组的治愈率为高于对照组(P<0.05)。随访3个月,共计有8例患者复发,总复发率为9.6%,其中治疗组为2.2%,对照组为18.4%。结论 Epley手法复位联合氟桂利嗪治疗PC-BPPV疗效显著,复发率低。     

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.     

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.     

Betahistine add-on therapy for treatment of subjects with posterior benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a randomized controlled trial

IntroductionBenign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a common vestibular disorder that accounts for one fifth of hospital admissions due to vertigo, although it is commonly undiagnosed.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of betahistine add-on therapy in the treatment of subjects with posterior benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.MethodsThis randomized controlled study was conducted in a population of 100 subjects with posterior benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Subjects were divided into the Epley maneuver + betahistine group (group A) and Epley maneuver only (group B) group. Subjects were evaluated before and 1-week after the maneuver using a visual analog scale and dizziness handicap inventoryResultsOne hundred subjects completed the study protocol. The Epley maneuver had an overall success rate of 95% (96% in group A; 94% in group B, p = 0.024). Groups A and B had similar baseline visual analog scale scores (6.98 ± 2.133 and 6.27 ± 2.148, respectively, p = 0.100). After treatment, the visual analog scale score was significantly lower in both groups, and was significantly lower in group A than group B (0.74 ± 0.853 vs. 1.92 ± 1.288, respectively, p = 0.000). The change in visual analog scale score after treatment compared to baseline was also significantly greater in group A than group B (6.24 ± 2.01 vs. 4.34 ± 2.32, respectively, p = 0.000). The baseline dizziness handicap inventory values were also similar in groups A and B (55.60 ± 22.732 vs. 45.59 ± 17.049, respectively, p = 0.028). After treatment, they were significantly lower in both groups. The change in score after treatment compared to baseline was also significantly greater in group A than group B (52.44 ± 21.42 vs. 35.71 ± 13.51, respectively, p = 0.000).ConclusionThe Epley maneuver is effective for treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Betahistine add-on treatment in posterior benign paroxysmal positional vertigo resulted in improvements in both visual analog scale score and dizziness handicap inventory.     

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。     

Epley加Semont联合手法复位治疗后半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕

目的 探讨Epley与Semont联合手法复位治疗后半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕(posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysman positional vertigo,PC-BPPV)的治疗效果.方法 对48例PC-BPPV患者随机分为单纯手法治疗(Epley管石复位法)与联合手法治疗(Epley加Semont联合复位法),观察治疗效果.结果 48例经1次手法复位治疗后症状消失或明显减轻,一次治疗有效率为83.3%,其中单纯组为78.3%,联合组为88.0%.无效患者继续重复相应手法治疗,至第三次复诊时统计总治疗有效率为93.8%,其中单纯组为91.3%,联合组为96.0%.随访3个月,共计有7例患者复发,总复发率为14.6%,其中单纯组为21.7%,联合组为8.0%.结论 Epley加Semont联合手法复位治疗PC-BPPV疗效显著,复发率低.     

Postural restrictions in labyrintholithiasis

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most frequent labyrinthopathy in humans. Treatment consists mainly of liberatory maneuvers aiming to remove otolithic debris and subsequent postural restrictions in order to prevent debris from returning into the canal. The reappearance of symptoms after an effective liberatory maneuver was studied in a group subjected to restrictions and in a second group free from restrictions. The effects of these restrictions were evaluated. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups. Accordingly, restrictions seem to have no effect upon symptom recurrence. The slight supremacy of the Semont maneuver and the prevalence of subsequent relapse compared with the Epley maneuver suggests that these maneuvers could operate on different disorders (cupulolithiasis versus canalolithiasis). Finally, late recognition of relapse in patients who undergo restrictions might even make the liberatory maneuver less effective.     

Efficacy of the Semont maneuver in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of the Semont maneuver in the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) of the posterior semicircular canal and to evaluate the possible effect of various factors on the efficacy of this maneuver. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study in an outpatient clinic. PATIENTS: Two hundred seventy-eight patients presenting with symptomatic, unilateral BPPV of the posterior semicircular canal, exclusively treated with the Semont maneuver. INTERVENTIONS: During the first consultation, each patient was treated with a Semont maneuver. When BPPV persisted, this maneuver was repeated during follow-up visits, performed at weekly intervals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were considered cured when vertigo disappeared within 30 days (allowing up to 4 maneuvers). RESULTS: More than 90% of patients were cured after a maximum of 4 maneuvers, and 83.5% were cured after only 2 maneuvers. The efficacy of the maneuver decreased each time it was repeated (from 62.6% at the first maneuver to 18.2% at the fourth). The duration of symptoms before initial consultation and the etiology of BPPV had a significant effect on the maneuver's efficacy (P<.001 and P =.002, respectively), whereas age (P =.12), sex (P =.06), and affected side (P =.20) had no effect. CONCLUSIONS: The Semont maneuver demonstrated a 90.3% cure rate after a maximum of 4 sessions. Patients consulting late (>6 months after the beginning of symptoms) or having traumatic BPPV had lower recovery rates than patients without these factors (74.7% vs 96.5%).     

Therapeutic efficacy of the Epley canalith repositioning maneuver

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESES: The hypotheses of the current study are as follows: 1) That if the Epley canalith repositioning maneuver is an effective treatment for benign positional vertigo (BPV), relief from the vertigo should occur virtually immediately after the performance of the maneuver; 2) that the Epley canalith repositioning maneuver does provide almost immediate relief in BPV and should be the established treatment of choice for this disorder in both primary and tertiary care settings; and 3) that residual symptoms of lightheadedness and imbalance do persist after the resolution of the vertigo. The distinction of these symptoms from the vertigo is required for the accurate evaluation of the efficacy of positional maneuvers. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study in a tertiary care balance center. METHODS: Eighty-six patients (95 cases) with a history and physical examination consistent with active BPV were entered in the study. Patients were treated with a modified Epley canalith repositioning maneuver. A modified 360 degrees roll was used to treat those patients with horizontal canal BPV. Patients were provided with a preprinted diary in which they were to circle the answer most relevant to their symptoms for 14 days after the maneuver. Patients were then re-evaluated in the office at 2 weeks after the maneuver. RESULTS: The mean duration of the BPV before treatment was 9 weeks. Seventy-four percent of cases that were treated with one or two canalith repositioning maneuvers had a resolution of vertigo as a direct result of the maneuver. A resolution attributable to the first intervention was obtained in 70% of cases within 48 hours of the maneuver. An additional 14% of cases that were treated had a resolution of vertigo; however, it is not possible to say that these patients definitely benefited from the canalith repositioning maneuver. Only 4% of cases (three patients) manifested BPV that persisted after four treatments. Residual symptoms of lightheadedness or imbalance, or both, were frequent (47% of cases) but rarely required formal intervention with vestibular rehabilitation physical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The Epley canalith repositioning maneuver results in a resolution of vertigo in the majority of patients (70% of cases) immediately after one treatment. It is safe and requires no special equipment or investigations. It should be established as the treatment of choice for BPV in both primary and tertiary care settings.     

Success of the modified Epley maneuver in treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common condition seen by otolaryngologists. The purpose of this study is to determine the ability of the modified Epley maneuver to treat BPPV. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 107 patients diagnosed with BPPV at our institution between March of 1993 and June of 1995. Each patient was diagnosed with isolated BPPV by history and Hallpike-Dix maneuver. There were no other vestibular symptoms or electronystagmogram abnormalities. Patients diagnosed with BPPV received modified Epley maneuvers, were instructed to remain upright for 48 hours, and wore a soft collar for a week. Patients were followed up with repeat Hallpike-Dix maneuvers at 1 to 2 weeks. If symptoms persisted, the maneuver was repeated for up to a maximum of three times, at which point patients were considered to have failed treatment. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 57.8 years old. Thirty percent were male and the right ear was affected in 54%. The posterior semicircular canal was affected in 105 ears. The average patient received 1.23 Epley maneuvers, with a success rate of 93.4%. No successfully treated patients received mastoid vibration. Seven out of 107 patients failed after three Epley maneuvers. Two failure patients had a history of temporal bone fracture. Two failure patients were treated with posterior semicircular canal block surgery. CONCLUSION: The modified Epley maneuver is an excellent treatment for BPPV.