Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo recurrence and persistence

Extreme Frequency of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Recurrences Unexplained by Any Known Risk Factors: A Case Report

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common vestibulopathy and involves failed dissolution and dislocation of calcium carbonate crystals into the semicircular canal. This causes short-lasting vertigo during changes in head position. Oftentimes, BPPV can be resolved within a single clinic visit, but secondary to many known risk factors, BPPV can recur. This case report follows a patient with extremely frequent recurrences despite a lack of known risk factors. A 55-year-old female experienced BPPV in December 2022, with successful canalith repositioning treatment from otolaryngology. On having a recurrence in March 2023, the patient underwent videonystagmography including caloric testing, and MRI, all of which showed normal findings besides left posterior-canal BPPV. From December 2022 to February 2024, the patient had 13 recurrences, each treated to resolution, confirmed by repeating positional tests and per subjective report for at least 2 weeks following. The incidence of BPPV recurrence is reported higher in females, however, this could not be interpreted as a causative factor. Though many other risk factors are documented in literature, this patient's history, demographics, imaging, and blood tests were all negative. This case report highlights a gap in knowledge of vestibular pathophysiology, as this patient's high rate of recurrence remains unexplained.

The relationship between psychological conditions and recurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Psychological conditions have been found to be associated with an increased risk of incident benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). However, much less is known on whether and how psychological conditions such as anxiety, insomnia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affect the recurrence of BPPV.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 2,612 outpatients and inpatients diagnosed with BPPV between September 2012 and August 2020. BPPV recurrence was followed up until February 2021. The Cox proportional hazard regression was used to analyze the association between psychological conditions and the risk of the first recurrence. Poisson regression was applied to analyze the association between psychological conditions and the number of recurrences in patients with at least one relapse.

RESULTS

During the follow-up, 391 patients had at least one BPPV recurrence. Female BPPV patients were more likely than male patients to experience relapses than male patients, but the characteristics of BPPV recurrence (number of recurrences and duration between recurrences) did not differ between men and women. After adjustment for sex, age and comorbidities, a heightened risk of first BPPV recurrence was found to be associated with anxiety (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 1.68) and OCD (HR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.31, 3.52). An increased risk of first BPPV recurrence associated with insomnia was only observed in male patients (HR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.24, 3.98) but not in female patients (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.63, 1.31). None of these psychological conditions were associated with the number of recurrences in patients who experienced recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of anxiety and OCD increased the risk of first BPPV recurrence, as well as insomnia for male patients. These psychological conditions were not associated with the number of BPPV recurrences. Diagnosis and treatment of these psychological conditions could be a useful strategy to prevent the recurrence of BPPV.

Risk Factors for the Recurrence of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) has a high recurrence rate, but the risk factor-associated recurrence are elusive.

METHODS

Searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, Web of science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Sino Med up to November 3, 2019. The effect size was analyzed by odds ratio and 95% CI. Data from eligible studies were meta-analyzed using Stata version 15.0.

RESULTS

Our search resulted in a total of 4076 hits. Twenty-four outcomes of sixty articles were included in the meta-analysis. Risk factors for the recurrence of BPPV included female gender, age (≥65years), hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, migraine, cervical spondylosis, osteopenia/osteoporosis, head trauma, otitis media, abnormal vestibular evoked myogenic potential, and long use of computers. No significant differences were found in side, type of the involved semicircular canals, smoking, alcohol consumption, stroke, ear surgery, duration of vertigo before treatment, the times of repositioning, Meniere disease, sleep disorders, hypercholesterolemia, and 25-hydroxy vitamin D.

CONCLUSION

These findings strengthen clinical awareness of early warning to identify patients with potential relapse risk of BPPV and clinicians should counsel patients regarding the importance of follow-up after diagnosis of BPPV.

The Role of Comorbidities in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

PURPOSE

To assess the correlation between the comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, hearing loss, hyperlipidemia, and vitamin D deficiency and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and to determine the high-risk groups for recurrence of symptoms.

DESIGN

Descriptive analytical study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who met the inclusion criteria underwent complete ear, nose, and throat examination, including Dix-Hallpike test and roll-over test and blood pressure recording. Investigations included pure tone audiometry, random blood sugar/fasting blood sugar, serum thyroid-stimulating hormone, fasting serum total cholesterol, and serum vitamin D levels. Patients were followed up for a period of 6 months to 1 year.

RESULTS

Older age-group has an increased risk of BPPV and recurrence of symptoms. About 45.1% of the patients with BPPV who were detected to have symptoms of hypertension were also more common with hypertensive. Diabetes mellitus was found to have an increased risk of BPPV and its recurrence. The presence of other comorbidities, such as abnormal thyroid function test (9%), sensorineural hearing loss (14%), hypercholesterolemia (46%), and vitamin D deficiency (79%) didn't show any significant risk for recurrence.

CONCLUSION

The presence of comorbidities worsens the status of BPPV, causing more frequent otolith detachment. Hence, it increases the risk of recurrence even after successful repositioning maneuver. Patients presenting with BPPV should therefore be evaluated and treated for these comorbidities along with the repositioning maneuvers.

Presence of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms Affects the First Time Treatment Efficacy and Recurrence of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Objectives

To investigate the possible effects of anxiety and/or depression symptoms on the treatment outcomes and recurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Methods

This is a retrospective study conducted at a single institution. 142 consecutive patients diagnosed with idiopathic BPPV at the Department of Otology in Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University between October 2016 and July 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. 127 patients were finally included in this study. Zung self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to evaluate the presence of anxiety and/or depression, respectively, in our BPPV patients. A significant score (at or above 50 for SAS and 53 for SDS) represents the presence of clinically significant symptoms. Two-tailed Student’s t-test, χ² test, and logistic regression analysis were used as appropriate. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The prevalence of anxiety and/or depression symptoms in BPPV patients in the present study was 49.61%. The effectiveness of the first time canalith repositioning maneuver (CRM) was 70.08%. With weekly follow-up treatments of CRM, the success rate increased to 97.64% by 1 month. The total recurrence rate at 6-month follow-up post-cure was 14.17%. Holding all other variables constant, patients with psychiatric symptoms (Relative-risk ratio: 3.160; p = 0.027) and patients with non-posterior semicircular canal (PSC) involvement (Relative-risk ratio: 7.828, p = 0.013) were more likely to experience residual dizziness (RD) even after effective CRM treatment. Psychiatric symptoms (Relative-risk ratio: 6.543; p = 0.001) and female gender (Relative-risk ratio: 4.563; p = 0.010) are risk factors for the failure of first time CRM. In addition, BPPV patients with psychiatric symptoms (Odds ratio: 9.184, p = 0.008) were significantly more likely to experience recurrences within the first 6 months after a successful maneuver.

Conclusion

Anxiety-depression status significantly reduced the efficacy of the first time CRM and increased the risk for recurrence. Other factors, such as female gender and non-PSC involvement are also susceptible risk factors for BPPV patients to require multiple treatments and experience delayed recovery. A screening for psychiatric symptoms in BPPV patients and active treatment of these symptoms would benefit both physicians and patients in understanding and improving the prognosis of the disease and treatment options.

Repeated canalith repositioning procedure in BPPV: Effects on recurrence and dizziness prevention

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether a repeated canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) influences the residual symptoms and the rate of recurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in patients with post-CRP dizziness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, we analyzed 292 patients at the referral center for ENT diseases with a first episode of BPPV treated with a single CRP following clinical practice guidelines. In 178 patients (67.9%) who presented dizziness after BPPV recovery at the follow-up visit, 94 patients underwent CRP (treated group) and 84 did not (non-treated group). A subjective evaluation of vertigo was made by way of a questionnaire. The rates of recurrence of BPPV and residual dizziness were statistically compared between the treated and the non-treated groups; survival analysis was carried out as well.

RESULTS

In an observational period ranging from 1 to 6years, BPPV recurred in 122 subjects (46.6%) of the investigated population. Among the patients with residual dizziness, the difference in rate of recurrence of BPPV between the treated group and the non-treated group was not statistically significant (p=0.84). The treated group presented a significantly higher rate of recovery from dizziness compared to the non-treated group (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A repeated CRP in patients with post-CRP dizziness increased the rate of recovery from dizziness but had no influence on BBPV recurrence.

Traumatic brain injury and vestibulo-ocular function: current challenges and future prospects

Normal function of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) coordinates eye movement with head movement, in order to provide clear vision during motion and maintain balance. VOR is generated within the semicircular canals of the inner ear to elicit compensatory eye movements, which maintain stability of images on the fovea during brief, rapid head motion, otherwise known as gaze stability. Normal VOR function is necessary in carrying out activities of daily living (eg, walking and riding in a car) and is of particular importance in higher demand activities (eg, sports-related activities). Disruption or damage in the VOR can result in symptoms such as movement-related dizziness, blurry vision, difficulty maintaining balance with head movements, and even nausea. Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is considered a risk factor for a prolonged recovery. Assessment of the vestibular system is of particular importance following TBI, in conjunction with oculomotor control, due to the intrinsic neural circuitry that exists between the ocular and vestibular systems. The purpose of this article is to review the physiology of the VOR and the visual-vestibular symptoms associated with TBI and to discuss assessment and treatment guidelines for TBI. Current challenges and future prospects will also be addressed.

Anxiety and depressive disorders in elderly with chronic dizziness of vestibular origin

Introduction

Dizziness is one of the most prevalent symptoms in the elderly. Anxiety and depression are common in dizzy adult patients, but there is scarce information about comorbidity between vestibular disturbances and psychiatric disorders in the aged.

Objective

To assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders in elderly with chronic dizziness of vestibular origin.

Methods

Transversal study that used the Brazilian version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 to assess anxiety and depressive disorders in elderly patients (≥60 years old) with chronic dizziness.

Results

Most of the 44 patients included in the study were female (88.6%) with a mean age of 71 years (±7.5), 68.1% had experienced dizziness for 1 year or more. The most prevalent diagnosis was benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (52.3%). The prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder and specific phobias during life were 29.5% and 22.7%, respectively, and, in the last 12 months, 18.2% and 15.9%. There was no patient with panic disorder, agoraphobia or social phobia. The prevalence of depressive disorder during life was 45.4%, and, in the last 12 months, were 11.3%.

Conclusion

Aged patients with chronic dizziness had high prevalence of some mental disorders.

"Positive to Negative" Dix-Hallpike test and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo recurrence in elderly undergoing Canalith Repositioning Maneuver and Vestibular Rehabilitation

Introduction Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is the most common cause of dizziness in elderly people. Recent studies have shown that the elderly present higher Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo recurrence and that vertiginous symptomatology remission varies according to comorbidities and the therapeutic techniques applied.

Objective To assess the short-term effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation in addition to Canalith Repositioning Maneuver on positive to negative Dix-Hallpike test, on recurrence and number of maneuvers to achieve a negative test in elderly patients with chronic Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 7 older adults (median age: 69 years, range 65–78) underwent Canalith Repositioning Maneuver and Vestibular Rehabilitation for thirteen weeks. Seven older adults (median age: 73 years, range 65–76) in the control group received only Canalith Repositioning Maneuver. The participants were assessed at baseline (T0), one (T1), five (T5), nine (T9), and thirteen weeks (T13). We assessed the differences between the groups by Mann-Whitney and Fisher exact tests, and used the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests to determine the intragroup differences.

Results No significant differences were found between groups for the positive to negative Dix-Hallpike test, recurrence, and number of maneuvers to achieve a negative test. The number of maneuvers to achieve negative Dix-Hallpike test was lower in intragroup comparisons in the experimental group.

Conclusion The findings suggest that additional Vestibular Rehabilitation did not influence the positive to negative Dix-Hallpike test, recurrence, or number of maneuvers to achieve a negative test in elderly patients with chronic Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo--a review of 101 cases

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is one of the most common vestibular disorders, with a lifetime prevalence of 2.4%. This study aimed to assess age, gender, lesion type and site, association with other vestibular diseases, progression and recurrence in a Portuguese population.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study of 101 patients diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo by the same senior doctor, in a tertiary academic hospital, between January 2009 and May 2011.

RESULTS

A total of 101 cases were pooled, with a mean age of 56.57±15.33 years (15-90 years). From these, 72.3% were women. The posterior canal was affected in 72.3%, the lateral in 24.7%, the anterior in 2% and multiple canals in 1%. Unilateral canal and left labyrinth involvement were more frequent. The therapeutic maneuver used most was Epley's. Recurrence was observed in 10.9% of the cases. It was idiopathic in 83.2% of cases. No association was found between the number of maneuvers necessary to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and etiology.

CONCLUSION

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is more frequent in female subjects, in the 6th decade and involves preferably the posterior semicircular canal of the right labyrinth. In most cases it is idiopathic and treatment with repositioning maneuvers has a mean success of 90%. Our results were in accordance with the literature; nevertheless, in this study the left labyrinth was most affected and the follow-up period was variable.

Clinical and functional aspects of body balance in elderly subjects with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) may compromise the balance of elderly subjects.

Objective

To observe the effects of the Epley maneuver in elderly subjects with BPPV and assess clinical and functional aspects of body balance.

Method

This is a prospective clinical study. Patients diagnosed with BPPV (Dix-Hallpike test) were submitted to the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test, the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (CTSIB), and lower limb testing before and after they were repositioned using the modified Epley maneuver.

Results

most subjects were females, and the group's mean age was 70.10 years (SD = 7.00). All patients had canalithiasis of the posterior canal. The following symptoms improved after the maneuver: postural instability (p = 0.006), nausea and vomiting (p = 0.021), and tinnitus (p = 0.003). Subjects improved their times significantly in the TUG and lower limb tests after the Epley maneuver (p < 0.001). Patients performed better on the CTSIB after the Epley maneuver on condition 2 (p < 0.003), condition 3 (p < 0.001), condition 4 (p < 0.001), condition 5 (p < 0.001), and condition 6 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Clinical and functional aspects of body balance in elderly with BPPV improved after treatment with the modified Epley maneuver.

The effect of early canalith repositioning on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo on recurrence

OBJECTIVES

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) can be treated using a simple repositioning maneuver. This study demonstrates the effects of early repositioning therapy in patients with BPPV, especially with regard to recurrence.

METHODS

We enrolled 138 consecutive patients who had been diagnosed with BPPV in the emergency rooms and ENT out-patient clinics of Chung-Ang University Hospital and Samyook Medical Center from January to June 2009. All patients immediately underwent appropriate canalith repositioning procedures (CRPs) depending on canalith type and location. The CRPs were performed daily until the patient's symptoms were resolved. The patients were classified into two groups according to the duration between symptom onset and initial treatment: less than 24 hours (early repositioning group, n=66) and greater 24 hours (delayed repositioning group, n=72). We prospectively compared the numbers of treatments received and the recurrence rates between the two groups.

RESULTS

Follow-up periods ranged from 8 to 14 months, 77 cases involved posterior canal BPPV, 48 cases were lateral canal BPPV (of which 20 cases were cupulolithiasis), and 13 cases were multiple canal BPPV. BPPV recurrence was found in a total of 46 patients (33.3%). The necessary numbers of CRPs were 2.3 for the early repositioning group and 2.5 for the late repositioning group, a difference that was not statistically significant (P=0.582). The early repositioning group showed a recurrence rate of 19.7%, and the delayed repositioning group showed a recurrence rate of 45.8% (P=0.002).

CONCLUSION

Performing repositioning treatments as soon as possible after symptom onset may be an important factor in the prevention of BPVV recurrence.

Elderly falls associated with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) can cause falls, especially in the elderly.

AIM

to study whether or not elderly patients with BPPV have a reduction on their falls after the particle repositioning maneuver (PRM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

retrospective study including elderly with BPPV who had fall(s) during the last year. All patients were submitted to the PRM according to the affected semicircular canal (SCC). After the abolition of positioning vertigo and nystagmus, the patients were submitted to a 12 month follow-up and were investigated about the number of fall(s). Wilcoxon's test was performed to compare the number of fall(s) before and after 12 months of the PRM.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty one patients were included in the study. One hundred and one patients presented involvement of the posterior SCC, 16 of the lateral and four of the anterior. We noticed a reduction on the number of falls, with statistically significant difference when all the patients were analyzed together (p<0.001), the posterior canal BPPV patients (p<0,001) and the lateral canal VPPB patients (p=0.002). We also found a tendency of statistically significant difference for the anterior canal BPPV patients (p=0.063).

CONCLUSION

BPPV elderly patients had indeed a reduction on the number of falls after the PRM.