Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)-Juniper publishers
JUNIPER PUBLISHERS-OPEN ACCESS JOURNAL OF HEAD NECK & SPINE SURGERY
Introduction
BPPV is often misdiagnosed, mistrited and subjected
to expensive investigations such as ME brain and Petrous bone. Even
otologists are not aware of this condition. Like all cases of vertigo
are treated with beta histine, cinnarazine, Nootropil etc. BPPV is
common condition in both the sexes in age group of 40-70 years.
The classical symptoms of BPPV of Posterior
semicircular canal (PSCC) is precipitation of rotary vertigo on co
change of position on affending side in recumbent position. Pt may get
awakened from sleep when gets into offending position. Vertigo in BPPV
of PSCC is commonly precipitated when patient tries to get up from the
bed. Vertigo may be associated with naussea and vomitting or sweating.
It can also precipitate on looking up. BPPV of PSCC is only treated by
various definitive head positions and none other. Epley’s maneuver is
the only way of treating BPPV of PSCC. To diagnose one should carry out
Dix-Hallpike maneuver to see the laterality of affending PSCC. Watch for
nystagmus and observe the type of nystagmus. If the nystagmus is
horizontal-rotary (ageotropic) type then BPPV of PSCC is confirmed. Then
Epley’s maneuver is effective. One such procedure may suffice but
recurrences are known, in which case procedure may be repeated. If the
Nystagmus on performing Dix-Hallpike maneuver is geotropic or lateral
then different head positions are required to be undertaken. When
recurrence occurs after Epley’s maneuver nystagmus may change into
lateral type for which different positions are undertaken. The third
type of BPPV is Superior semicircular canal BPPV.
BPPV is of 3 types, Commonest being BPPV of
posterior semicircular canal (PSCC), next is BPPV of Lateral
Semicircular Canal (LSCC) and lastly BPPV of Superior Semicircular canal
(SSCC). There is no medical treatment for all the three types. Most of
the cases are misdiagnosed and over investigated. The favorite drug used
via many physicians and neurologists Is Tab Vertin (Generic name is
beta-histine) Since Tab Vertin goes well with vertigo it happens to be
easily remembered and pations are also satisfied with drug because of
its close association with Vertigo but without any relief The gold
standard for BPPV of PSCC is Epley’s maneuver if properly carried out.
It is important to inform the patient that he should not lie down for at
least 12hrs and also not to look up for at least a week. Especially for
men while shaving should not look up, instead they can stick out their
head forward and carry out shaving. Patient must also be told that there
can be recurrence within or before a month. If there is recurrence same
procedure can be repeated. BPPV of PSCC after the maneure can into BPPV
of LSCC Many otologists unfortunately do not know how to perform the
maneuver. Surgical treatment is not recommended for it is not only
invasive but carries morbidity especially selective section of
vestibular nerve. Next comes is singular nerve neurectomy. It requires
expertise and can also result in severe Sensori-Neural Hearing Loss
(SNHL).
Following differential diagnosis in order of occurrence in the authors experience is:
- Vestibula neuronitis
- Meniere’s Disease
- Fistula of LSCC
- Vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency
- Lateral thalamic syndrome
- Infarction of cerebellum Thrombosis of Vestibular artery
- Functional
A detailed ENT and otoneurological examination is
required. Base line pure tone audiometry is mandatory. Otoneurological
exam must include:
- Fistula test in all cases of COM.
- Note nystagmus and degree and direction of nystagmus.
- Romberg’s test.
- Cerebellar function tests.
- Gait with eyes open and eyes closed.
- Tandem gait.
- Dix-Hallpike maneuver.
- Electronystagmography (ENG).
- Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP).
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