Effectiveness of the particle repositioning maneuver in subtypes of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of the particle repositioning maneuver (PRM) in patients presenting with idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) compared with those with evidence of additional peripheral vestibulopathies. METHODS: Retrospective administration of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) to 41 patients with primary BPPV and 31 patients with secondary BPPV to subjectively evaluate their symptoms before and after the PRM. RESULTS: Both groups indicated a marked improvement in symptoms after the PRM. Only two patients reported an increase in their symptoms after the PRM and both had secondary BPPV. CONCLUSIONS: The PRM was found to be highly effective in all forms of BPPV, but careful history and judicious testing may identify patients requiring additional intervention to relieve their symptoms.