Posterior Semicircular Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Research Articles

Atypical Bilateral Posterior Semicircular Canalolithiasis - A Case Series.

Barany Society includes bilateral typical posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PSC-BPPV) in its classification of multicanal subtype. In the past decade, less-common and atypical subtypes of PSC-BPPV, like short-arm and non-ampullary arm posterior semicircular canalolithiasis, have emerged, requiring the conduct of conventional and auxiliary positional tests on both sides to uncover their bilaterality. Authors hereby report three atypical less-common subtypes of bilateral PSC-BPPV, discussing their clinicodemographic profiles, management by repositioning maneuvers and physical therapy, and follow up. Both Case 2 and Case 3 are precisely tri-canalolithiasis (bilateral ampullary arm posterior semicircular canalolithiasis with co-occurring right non-ampullary arm posterior semicircular canalolithiasis in Case 2 and bilateral short arm with co-occurring left ampullary arm posterior semicircular canalolithiasis in Case 3), which has not been reported previously in the literature. There has been only one previously reported case of bilateral non-ampullary arm semicircular canalolithiasis, and it is now observed in Case 1.

The effectiveness of the modified Epley maneuver for the treatment of posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

To compare the repositioning effect of the modified Epley maneuver and the traditional Epley maneuver for posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PC-BPPV). Sixty-five patients with unilateral PC-BPPV were randomly divided into two groups. The control group received the traditional Epley maneuver, while the experimental group received the modified Epley maneuver, which prolonged the time in the healthy side lying position and the final bowing position. The number of successful repositions after one, two, and three attempts and the total number of successful repositions were recorded and compared between the two groups. A BPPV virtual simulation model was used to analyze the mechanism of the modified Epley maneuver. The first repositioning success rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (85% vs. 63%, p = 0.040). The experimental group achieved 100% repositioning success rate after two attempts, while the control group needed three attempts to reach 86% repositioning success rate. Four cases in the control group experienced canal switching during the repositioning process, while none in the experimental group did. The BPPV virtual simulation model showed that the modified Epley maneuver could facilitate the passage of otoliths through the posterior arm of the posterior semicircular canal, especially through the location of obstruction. The modified Epley maneuver is more effective than the traditional Epley maneuver in improving the single repositioning success rate and reducing the canal switching rate for PC-BPPV. This study provides a new option for the treatment of BPPV.

Early treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo secondary to sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) accompanied by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is relatively common in the clinic. There are unified standards for the treatment of primary BPPV with good reduction effect, while there are few studies on the treatment of BPPV secondary to SSNHL within 1 week of onset. The study was to investigate the treatment of BPPV secondary to SSNHL and compare its manual reduction with that of primary BPPV. We selected 90 patients with BPPV accompanied by SSNHL within a week of onset and 210 primary BPPV patients at Hebei Provincial Eye Hospital from June 2020 to December 2022. The former group was divided into the medicine group and manual reduction plus medicine group. The medicines used were extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves injection, betahistine hydrochloride injection and oral prednisone. We contrasted the efficacy respectively for posterior semicircular canal BPPV (psc-BPPV), horizontal semicircular canal BPPV (hsc-BPPV) and multiple semicircular canal BPPV (msc-BPPV). In addition, we compared the manual reduction effect for primary BPPV and manual reduction group, and the evaluation of efficacy are the intensity of nystagmus and the clinical symptoms. In the secondary BPPV group, there was no difference in efficacy between the medicine group and manual reduction group at the 7th-day after reduction for psc-BPPV, hsc-BPPV, and msc-BPPV (P > .05). The immediate effect of reduction was significantly different between the primary BPPV group and the group with SSNHL and BPPV for both psc-BPPV and hsc-BPPV (P < .05), and the effect of the primary BPPV group was better, but it was no difference for msc-BPPV (P > .05). For the treatment of BPPV accompanied by SSNHL within 1 week of onset, the additional reduction therapy showed no benefit, so we need to apply medication for SSNHL.

Relationship between the Presence of Nystagmus in the Fourth Position of the Epley Maneuver and Treatment Efficacy for PSC BPPV: A Prospective Study.

To investigate whether a specific nystagmus observed during the Epley maneuver can enable immediate reassessment of patients, eliminating the need for deferred diagnosis. Prospective cohort. Tertiary center. Patients with posterior semicircular canal (PSC) benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) diagnosed by the Dix-Hallpike test between March 2022 and March 2023. All patients were treated with the Epley maneuver. The presence and the characteristics of the nystagmus were recorded in each of the four intermediate positions of the maneuver. Fifteen minutes later, all patients were reevaluated with the Dix-Hallpike test to determine the therapeutic success. Outcome of the Epley maneuver and its relationship with nystagmus characteristics during the four positions of the maneuver. Sixty-six patients (77.3% female) were included in the study, of which 66.7% exhibited right PSC BPPV. Therapeutic success of the first Epley maneuver was 74.2%. Almost one third (30.3%) of patients presented with nystagmus in the second and third positions of the Epley maneuver. All patients with down-beating and torsional nystagmus toward the opposite direction of the diagnostic nystagmus in the fourth position of the Epley maneuver needed a second rehabilitative maneuver. None of the patients without nystagmus in this fourth position remained with active BPPV after the first Epley maneuver. The presence of nystagmus in the fourth position of the Epley maneuver appears to have a high predictive value, reducing waiting time for a second diagnostic maneuver. Its absence may exempt subsequent reevaluation.

Posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo with long duration: Heavy or light cupula?

To investigate the characteristics of positional nystagmus in posterior semicircular canal (PSCC) benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) patients with longer durations, and to discuss the possible underlying mechanism of this nystagmus. We conducted a retrospective review, and enrolled 118 consecutive patients with unilateral PSCC BPPV. The duration of nystagmus during a Dix-Hallpike test was classified into short (<1 min) and long (≥1 min) durations. For the identification of a neutral point in PSCC BPPV patients with long durations, the patient's head was turned 45° to the lesioned side to set the affected PSCC on the sagittal plane, and the disappearance of positional nystagmus was investigated in a pitch plane. Among 118 patients with PSCC BPPV, positional nystagmus during a Dix-Hallpike test showed short durations (<1 min) in 112 patients and long durations (≥1 min) in 6 patients. Of 6 PSCC BPPV patients with a long duration, a neutral point was identified in 5 patients whose nystagmus lasted for longer than 2 min; interestingly, a neutral point was observed when the patient's head was slightly tilted backward in all 5 patients. Considering that a neutral position was identified when the patient's head was slightly tilted backward while keeping the head turned 45° to the right or left, we assume that the light cupula condition of the ipsilateral PSCC or the contralateral anterior semicircular canal, and not PSCC BPPV cupulolithiasis, could be responsible for the occurrence of persistent torsional-upbeating nystagmus in a Dix-Hallpike test. 4.

Characteristics and Possible Mechanisms of Direction-Reversing Nystagmus During Positional Testing in Patients With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

The occurrence of direction-reversing nystagmus during positional testing in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is not uncommon. Further in-depth analysis of the characteristics and possible mechanisms of direction-reversing nystagmus will help us to diagnose and treat BPPV more precisely. The study aimed to analyze the incidence and characteristics of direction-reversing nystagmus during positional testing in BPPV patients, evaluate the outcomes of canalith repositioning procedure for these patients, and further explore the possible mechanism of reversal nystagmus in BPPV patients. Retrospective study. Single-center study. A total of 575 patients with BPPV who visited the Vertigo Clinic of our hospital between April 2017 and June 2021 were enrolled. Dix-Hallpike and supine roll tests were performed. The nystagmus was recorded using videonystagmography. The characteristics of direction-reversing nystagmus and the possible underlying mechanism were analyzed. Patients with BPPV who showed reversal nystagmus accounted for 9.39% (54 of 575) of all BPPV patients visiting our hospital during the same period, of which 5.57% (32 of 575) had horizontal semicircular canal BPPV (HC-BPPV), and 3.83% (22 of 575) had posterior semicircular canal BPPV (PC-BPPV). The maximum slow-phase velocities (mSPVs) of the first-phase nystagmus were greater in HC-BPPV and PC-BPPV patients with reversal nystagmus than those without ( p = 0.04 and p = 0.01, respectively). In all HC-BPPV and PC-BPPV patients with reversal nystagmus, the mSPV of the first-phase nystagmus was greater than that of the second-phase nystagmus ( p < 0.01). The duration of the second-phase nystagmus was longer than 60 seconds in 93.75% (30 of 32) of the HC-BPPV patients and 77.27% (17 of 22) of the PC-BPPV patients ( p = 0.107, Fisher exact test). HC-BPPV and PC-BPPV patients with reversal nystagmus both required more than one canalith repositioning procedure compared with those without (HC-BPPV: 75 versus 28.13%, p < 0.001; PC-BPPV: 59.09 versus 13.64%, p = 0.002). The cause of second-phase nystagmus in BPPV patients with direction-reversing nystagmus may be related to the involvement of central adaptation mechanisms secondary to the overpowering mSPV of the first-phase nystagmus.

EFFECTIVENESS OF EPLEY’S MANEUVER IN POSTERIOR CANAL BENIGN PAROXYSMAL POSITIONAL VERTIGO: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of Epley’s maneuver in curing posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Methods: This was a single-center, hospital-based, prospective observational study involving a total of 51 patients diagnosed with BPPV. The diagnosis of BPPV was confirmed by Dix–Hallpike’s maneuver (DHM). The patients of BPPV were treated using Epley’s maneuver. The patients were followed on the 4th, 10th, 30th, and 180th days after the initial consultation. The response to DHM was recorded on each follow-up visit. Results: Among the enrolled 51 participants, 47 did not have any complaints related to giddiness post treatment. Thus, the effectiveness of Epley’s maneuver in treating posterior semicircular canal BPPV at 6 months was 92.16%. Overall, 5 participants (10.6%) who were cured on the first follow-up visit had a recurrence of BPPV at the 1-month follow-up visit. As the duration of follow-up increased, the quality-of-life score decreased, indicating that patients felt better or relieved from symptoms with time. On the follow-up visits on day 4, day 10, 1 month, and 6 months after Epley’s maneuver, it was 43.1%, 72.5%, 88.2%, and 92.2%, respectively, for those who had a negative response to DHM. Conclusion: Epley’s maneuver is an effective treatment modality for patients diagnosed with posterior semicircular canal BPPV and shows a significant improvement in quality of life for such patients with low recurrence rates.

Assessment of Osteoporosis and Vitamin D3 Deficiency in Patients with Idiopathic Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).

Background and objectives: Osteoporosis and vitamin D3 deficiency may be risk factors of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis and 25(OH) vitamin D3 deficiency in a group of patients with idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients (twenty-eight women and seven men) with posterior semicircular canal BPPV were enrolled in the study. The subjects underwent hearing assessment (tonal audiometry and impedance audiometry) and the Dix-Hallpike maneuver. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D3 levels were determined and lumbar spine bone densitometry was performed. The relationships between sex, age, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), vitamin D3 levels and bone densitometry results were assessed. Results: The diagnosis of osteoporosis was confirmed in 1 patient (3%), 3 subjects were osteopenic (8.6%), and normal bone densitometry was found in 31 (88.6%) patients. Conclusions: We found no statistically significant relationships between age, BMI or vitamin D3 levels and bone densitometry results in patients with idiopathic BPPV.

Spontaneous Nystagmus in Patients With Posterior Semicircular Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

This study aimed to investigate the incidence of spontaneous nystagmus (SN) in posterior semicircular canal (PSCC) benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and its effect on treatment outcomes. Retrospective case series. Tertiary referral center. This study included 50 patients with idiopathic unilateral PSCC BPPV between July 2021 and May 2022. The presence of SN was investigated, and the results of the bithermal caloric test and video head impulse test (vHIT) were compared. SN was observed in 13 (26%) of the 50 patients presenting PSCC BPPV. The direction of SN was mainly unidirectional and horizontal in 12 of the 13 patients with a slow-phase velocity ranging from 2 to 4°/s. One patient presented an upbeating torsional SN at the initial evaluation. The mean vHIT gain of the PSCC on the affected side was significantly lower in patients with SN than those without SN (p = .004, Mann-Whitney U test). The proportion of patients who recovered within 2 sessions of the repositioning maneuver was significantly higher in those without SN than that in those with SN (p < .001, Fisher's exact test). This study demonstrated that the treatment outcomes of PSCC BPPV were significantly worse in patients with SN than those without SN. Examining the presence of SN in patients with PSCC BPPV may be helpful in counseling the patients on prognosis, and it is expected that more sessions of canalith repositioning maneuver may be required to treat PSCC BPPV in patients with SN than those without SN.

Comparing therapeutic maneuvers in posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Context: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo accounting for around 24% of all peripheral vestibular abnormalities and the posterior semicircular canal being the most affected. The most common cause of BPPV is idiopathic, others being inner ear disorders, trauma, infection, and increasing age. Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of Epley’s maneuver alone and Epley’s maneuver with Brandt–Daroff exercises in the management of posterior semicircular canal BPPV, thereby comparing the recurrence rate after treatment in both groups. Materials and Methods: The study was a randomized prospective clinical trial with parallel and superiority trial design where 94 consecutive patients with posterior semicircular canal BPPV and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled into two Groups A = 47 and B = 47. All subjects underwent detailed history, examination, and assessment with UCLA dizziness questionnaire and videonystagmography. Group A patients received Epley’s maneuver while group B received Epley’s maneuver with Brandt–Daroff exercises as the treatment, with follow-up done on the 1st and 2nd weeks and after 1 month. Results: The age group of the majority of the patients in the study ranged between 51 and 60 years. The percentage of females in the study was 54.3% and males 45.7%. Results showed significant improvement in vertigo and nystagmus in both groups, with Group B having lesser recurrence during the follow-up visits. Conclusion: Both Epley’s maneuver and Brandt–Daroff exercises are ideal means of treatment, but a combined approach of the two maneuvers yields better outcome in terms of symptomatic resolution and less recurrence.

Insights into Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in the Elderly

Vertigo, the illusion of movement of oneself or one’s surroundings in the absence of actual movement, is a common symptom in older adults and, as such, is commonly regarded as an age-related normal or part of the aging process itself, as its incidence increases with age. In neurology and otorhinolaryngology, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo. BPPV is a brief, recurrent episode of vertigo caused by changes in head position relative to the direction of gravity. The symptoms of peripheral vestibular disease are vertigo and characteristic nystagmus. The prevalence of undiagnosed BPPV is high due to the fact that many elderlies tolerate vertigo symptoms. According to etiology, it can be subdivided into idiopathic BPPV and secondary BPPV, and according to location, it can be subdivided into posterior semicircular canal BPPV, horizontal semicircular canal BPPV, and anterior semicircular canal BPPV.

Change in Diagnosis of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo During COVID-19 Pandemic.

PurposeThe present study investigated the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).Patients and MethodsThe medical records of BPPV patients who were evaluated in the outpatient department (OPD) and emergency room (ER) during (435 patients) and before (517 patients) the COVID-19 pandemic were retrospectively reviewed. Dix-Hallpike and supine head-roll tests were used to classify the subtype of BPPV as posterior semicircular canal (PSCC), geotropic lateral semicircular canal (geotropic LSCC), or apogeotropic lateral semicircular canal (apogeotropic LSCC) BPPV.ResultsMore patients with PSCC BPPV were diagnosed at the OPD compared with those who were diagnosed at the ER both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, more patients with LSCC BPPV were diagnosed at the ER compared with those who were diagnosed at the OPD during the same periods. The mean time interval between vertigo onset and initial evaluation was remarkably longer during the pandemic in patients with PSCC BPPV.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that the incidences of BPPV subtypes according to hospital visit type were not significantly different before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because hospital visits were delayed in patients with PSCC BPPV during the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine or e-health could be suitable alternatives to face-to-face medical care for these patients.

An analyzation on the characterization of frequency tuning of vestibular evoked myogenic potential in patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction

Objective: To explore the value of adding 1 kHz cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential（cVEMP） and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential（oVEMP） in the auxiliary diagnosis of unilateral vestibular hypofunction. Methods:A retrospective analysis of 84 patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction receiving two or more vestibular function tests was conducted,29 cases of unilateral Ménière's disease, 27 cases of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo （BPPV）, 8 cases of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss （ISSHL） with vertigo, and 20 cases of ISSHL without vertigo were included. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis to observe the difference of frequency amplitude ratio （FAR） at 500 Hz/1 kHz of cVEMP and oVEMP between the experimental and control groups. Results:①The cVEMP elicitation rates were 95.24% （80/84） and 98.81% （83/84） for 500 Hz and 1 kHz, respectively; and the oVEMP elicitation rates were 78.57% （66/84） and 91.67% （77/84） for 500 Hz and 1 kHz, respectively. ②Except for the lateral difference of FAR in oVEMP of the posterior semicircular canal BPPV group and cVEMP of the horizontal semicircular canal BPPV group （P<0.05）, no significant lateral difference was observed in the other disease groups （P>0.05）. Conclusion:In patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction, cVEMP and oVEMP showed different frequency tuning changes in different semicircular canal BPPV groups. Additionally, 1 kHz cVEMP and oVEMP as regular stimulation frequencies in clinical test, which has certain clinical reference significance for determining the diagnosis and prognosis of BPPV on the weak ear and in different semicircular canal involvement.

Bilateral Dysfunction of Otolith Pathway in Patients With Unilateral Idiopathic BPPV Detected by ACS-VEMPs.

ObjectiveTo observe the functional status of the otolith pathway in patients with unilateral idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) by combining air-conducted sound elicited cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (ACS-cVEMP) and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (ACS-oVEMP).MethodsOne hundred and eighty patients with BPPV were recruited for conventional cVEMP and oVEMP tests. The abnormal rates of VEMPs were compared between BPPV patients and control participants.ResultsThe abnormal rates of cVEMP and oVEMP in BPPV patients were 46.7% (84/180) and 57.2% (103/180) in affected ears, respectively, and 45.0% (81/180) and 56.7% (102/180) in unaffected ears, respectively; both were significantly higher than the abnormal rates of cVEMP and oVEMP in normal control ears. Compared with normal subjects, the cVEMP response rate was lower in affected and unaffected ears in BPPV patients. The abnormal rates of cVEMP and oVEMP were 48.1% (76/158) and 57.6% (91/158) in patients with posterior semicircular canal BPPV, and 36.4% (8/22) and 54.5% (12/22) in lateral semicircular canal BPPV. There was no significant difference in VEMP abnormalities between posterior semicircular canal BPPV and lateral semicircular canal BPPV.ConclusionThe prevalence of abnormal cVEMPs and oVEMPs in both affected and unaffected ears of patients with BPPV was significantly higher than that observed in the control group. The pathological mechanism of unilateral idiopathic BPPV may be associated with bilateral degeneration of otolith pathways.

Is it possible to diagnose Posterior Semicircular Canal BPPV from the sitting position? The role of the Head Pitch Test and the upright tests along the RALP and LARP planes

PurposeThe diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) involving the posterior semicircular canal (PSC) is traditionally entrusted to positioning tests where patients are rapidly brought in the supine position. This prospective study aims to define the role of a diagnostic protocol for PSC-BPPV including only upright tests. Materials and methods109 patients with PSC-BPPV were enrolled. The Head Pitch Test (HPT) was carried out first. If uneventful, the patient's head was turned 45° to each side and bent back-and-forth along the plane aligning either with the right anterior-left posterior (RALP) or left anterior-right posterior (LARP) canals, thus performing the upright RALP / upright LARP (uRALP/uLARP) test. Nystagmus observed was used to predict the diagnosis, which was therefore confirmed by Dix-Hallpike tests. ResultsPSC-BPPV could be correctly diagnosed in 75.2% of cases with the sole HPT and in 87.2% of cases by adding the uRALP/uLARP test (Upright Protocol). The time elapsed from symptoms onset was closely related to the protocol sensitivity, as it reached 100% (64/64) in acute patients while decreased to 68.9% (31/45) in cases evaluated after 7 days (p < 0.001). ConclusionsUpright maneuvers could correctly diagnose PSC-BPPV in most cases. uRALP/uLARP test demonstrated to improve the sensitivity of the HPT, mainly in recent-onset BPPV.

Epley versus Semont Maneuver in the Treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

AbstractIntroduction Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is characterized by brief but violent attacks of paroxysmal vertigo provoked by certain positions of the head. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of Epley and Semont maneuvers for the relief of vertigo in posterior semicircular canal BPPV.Materials and Methods This was a prospective comparative study conducted in a tertiary referral hospital over 1 year. Among 70 cases of BPPV, 35 were treated with Epley and 35 with Semont maneuver. Follow-up was done at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months to assess symptomatic improvement using visual analogue scale.Results Out of 70 patients of BPPV, 62 patients responded very well to the maneuvers and got relief from vertigo. Thirty-two patients (91.4%) in the Epley group and 30 (85.7%) patients in the Semont group had a significant improvement post-therapy and the balance was the same in both groups. At 1 month, there was no significant statistical difference in mean visual analogue score (VAS) score between both groups.Conclusion Majority of cases showed symptomatic improvement with both maneuvers. However, patients treated with Epley maneuver showed earlier relief from vertigo than those treated with the Semont maneuver.

Current Therapies in Patients With Posterior Semicircular Canal BPPV, a Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

To compare the efficacy of different treatments for posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PC-BPPV) by using direct and indirect evidence from existing randomized data. Randomized case-control studies that compared the efficacy of various nonsurgical treatments in PC-BPPV patients at 1 week and 1 month of follow-up were comprehensively screened. Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to evaluate direct and indirect treatment comparisons. We further conducted subgroup pairwise meta-analysis to explore the inconsistency between comparisons of the Epley versus a sham maneuver and the Epley versus the Semont maneuver. A total of 41 parallel, randomized controlled studies were included. The Epley with vestibular rehabilitation (EVR), Epley, Semont and Hybrid maneuvers were effective in eliminating nystagmus during a Dix-Hallpike test at 1 week of follow-up (odds ratios [ORs]: 11.41-23.8, 95% credible interval [CrI]: excluding null), among which EVR showed the best efficacy (the surface area under the cumulative ranking curves [SUCRA] = 77.5%). However, at 1 month of follow-up, only the Semont (rank first, SUCRA = 76.1%) and Epley maneuvers (rank second, SUCRA = 65.3%) were effective in eliminating nystagmus during a Dix-Hallpike test. In the pairwise subgroup meta-analysis, for patients younger than 55 years of age, the efficacy of the Epley maneuver was comparable to that of the Semont maneuver [rate ratio (RR): 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93-1.05]; for patients with a longer duration before treatment, the effect of the Epley maneuver was equivalent to that of a sham maneuver (RR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.90-1.29). Among the 12 types of PC-BPPV treatments, the Epley, Semont, EVR, and Hybrid maneuvers were effective in eliminating nystagmus during a Dix-Hallpike test for PC-BPPV at 1 week of follow-up, whereas only the Epley and Semont maneuvers were effective at 1 month of follow-up. The duration before treatments and the age of patients might contribute to the efficacy of treatments.

Effect of dynamic balance during the onset of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo on residual dizziness after successful repositioning: a multicenter prospective cohort study

Objective: To explore the characteristics of dynamic balance during the onset of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and its prediction of residual symptoms after successful repositioning. Methods: From January 2018 to August 2019, patients diagnosed with unilateral posterior semicircular canal or horizontal semicircular canal BPPV were consecutively enrolled from five otolaryngology clinics in Shanghai. The dynamic balance function was measured by sensory organization test (SOT) before repositioning maneuver, and the residual symptoms and its duration were followed up from one week to up to three months. Results: A total of 260 patients were recruited. After excluding 17 cases, 243 cases were successfully followed up including 89 males and 154 females, with an average age of (52.9±13.0) years. There were 175 cases of posterior semicircular BPPV, 61 cases of horizontal semicircular BPPV and 7 cases of canal conversion (from horizontal to posterior semicircular). Among 243 patients, 118 cases reported residual symptoms, with an incidence of 48.6%. The results of SOT showed that 58.0%(141/243) of the patients had abnormal vestibular input and 41.6%(101/243) were categorized as "near falls". With respect to the detailed residual symptoms, 47 cases (39.8%) reported unsteadiness or floating, 35 cases (29.7%) had fogginess/heaviness feeling, 22 cases (18.6%) had transient dizzy while head moving, and 15 cases (12.7%) reported that the symptom was too subtle to describe. Compared with the group without residual symptoms, the group with residual symptoms had more abnormal vestibular input(χ²=67.25, P<0.001) and near falls(χ²=74.78, P<0.001) as identified by SOT test. Cox proportional hazards regression failed to reveal any SOT results having significantly impact on the duration of residual symptoms [abnormal vestibular input (HR= 0.93, 95%CI: 0.48, 1.80), and near falls (HR= 0.90, 95%CI: 0.56, 1.46)]. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the duration of residual symptoms among patients with different SOT manifestations [Log rank (Mantel-Cox) test, P>0.05]. Conclusions: The impaired dynamic balance during the onset of BPPV is characterized by "abnormal vestibular input". The residual symptoms are mainly characterized by unsteadiness or floating feeling. The defect of dynamic balance function is a predictor of the residual symptoms after successful repositioning, but not for the duration of such symptoms.

Treatment response of Epley’s manoeuvre in the management of posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common reason for vertigo. Most common site of BPPV is posterior semicircular canal. The commonest symptom is episodic vertigo. This study aimed at the treatment response of Epley’s manoeuvre for posterior semicircular canal BPPV.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; 87 patients out of 114 were enrolled for the study from 2020 to 2021. After proper history and examination, Dix-Hallpike test (DHT) was done for diagnosis. Epley’s manoeuvre was done at first visit and was repeated at subsequent visits.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; The mean age of the patients was 54 years. In this study, out of total 87 patients, there were 59 females (67.82%) and 28 males (32.18%). The male to female ratio was 1:2.11. Out of 87 patients, 53 patients (60.92%) recovered in the first visit, 18 patients (20.69%) recovered in second visit, 11 patients (12.64%) recovered in the third visit and remaining 5 patients (5.75%) recovered in fourth visit. In 3 out of 87 cases, that is, in 3.45%, recurrence was seen with return of the BPPV symptoms.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Treatment response of Epley’s manoeuvre in posterior semicircular canal BPPV is good. Maximum number of patients’ recovered in the first visit.&lt;/p&gt;

Effect of the course of posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo on residual symptoms after successful canalith repositioning procedure

Objective:To investigate the effect of the course of posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo（BPPV） on residual symptoms after successful canalith repositioning procedure（CRP）. Methods:A total of 56 patients with posterior semicircular canal BPPV were selected from July 2020 to March 2021. They were divided into the short course group and the long course group according to the duration of disease from symptom onset to CRP treatment. All patients were treated with mechanical Epley repositioning procedure with rotary chair assistance. After successful repositioning treatment, they were followed up for seven to ten days. All patients were assessed using the vertigo disorder scale （DHI） before and after treatment,the differences of each dimension score and total score of DHI before and after successful CRP were compared between these two groups. Results:① After successful CRP, in patients with mild residual symptoms, the ratio between short course group and long course group were 68.6% and 31.4%, respectively. While in patients with moderate to severe residual symptoms,the ratio between short course group and long course group was 20% and 80%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）. ②Before CRP, there was no significant difference in Physical dimension（DHI-P, 7 items） and in Function dimension（DHI-F, 9 items） between the two groups（P>0.05）, but there was significant difference in Emotion dimension（DHI-E, 9 items） and in total DHI score between the two groups（P<0.05, respectively）. After treatment, there was no significant difference in DHI-P score between the two groups（P>0.05）, but there were significant differences in DHI-F, DHI-E and DHI total score between the two groups（P<0.05,respectively）. Compared with the scores of DHI-P, DHI-F, DHI-E and DHI total score before and after successful CRP, the significant differences were found between the short course group and long course group（P<0.05,respectively）. ③There was no significant difference in the difference of DHI dimensions and total score between the short course group and the long course group before after reduction（P>0.05,respectively）. Conclusion:The duration of posterior semicircular canal BPPV（P-BPPV） does not affect the short-term efficacy of P-BPPV repositioning treatment, but patients with long course of P-BPPV are more likely to have moderate to severe residual symptoms after successful CRP，mainly in social function and emotional psychology.