Long-Term Results of Posterior Semicircular Occlusion for Intractable Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Abstract

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo. It can be treated by repositioning maneuvers that move the particle in the semicircular canal back to the utricle. However, in rare cases, positional vertigo could persist or frequently recur even after several repositioning maneuvers. In these intractable cases, semicircular canal occlusion (SCO) has been used successfully. SCO is a method that prevents the movement of endolymph by obstructing the bony and membranous labyrinth after creating a window on the canal. However, its long-term results are rarely reported. In addition, there are few reports on postoperative vestibular and imaging findings after SCO surgery. We hereby report long-term results of the SCO in terms of hearing, vestibular function, and imaging findings in a patient who underwent posterior SCO for intractable benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior semicircular canal.