Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a common malfunction of the labyrinth, most frequently of the posterior canal, due to clot of debris in the endolymph. The attacks of vertigo are characterised by dependency on position, latency after positioning of the head, short duration, nystagmus, reversibility and fatiguableness. The diagnosis can be based on history, physical examination and provocative tilting of the head as described by Dix and Hallpike. In a typical case further investigations are not necessary. The symptoms often improve spontaneously. Half of the patients can be cured directly by stepwise tilting. This probably removes the clot from the canal of the labyrinth to the utriculus. Specific positional exercises also often have a good result, but not as quickly. Drug therapy has no place in the treatment.