The International Tinnitus Journal

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: diagnosis and treatment

Author(s): Roseli Saraiva Moreira Bittar, Raquel Mezzalira, Paula Lobo Furtado, Alessandra Ramos Venosa, Andre Luis Lopes Sampaio, Carlos Augusto Costa Pires de Oliveira

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a common disorder in Neurotology. This vestibular syndrome is characterized by transient attacks of vertigo, caused by change in head position, and associated with paroxysmal characteristic nystagmus. The symptoms result from movement of the free floating otoconia particles in the endolymph or their attachment to the cupulae of the semicircular canal. The diagnosis is essentially clinical and should be confirmed by performing diagnostic maneuvers. Treatment is based on the identification of the affected semicircular canal and performance of liberatory maneuvers or repositioning of free floating particles of otoliths. The effectiveness varies from 70 to 100%.

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