Differential diagnosis of true and pseudo-bilateral benign positional nystagmus

Bilateral simultaneous presentation of posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

OBJECTIVE

To outline the clinical picture of bilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

METHODS

A total of 573 patients with posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo were classified as having unilateral, or true or pseudo bilateral, posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and were treated with the Epley manoeuvre. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Of the patients, 483 had unilateral and 90 (15.7 per cent) had bilateral presentation. Of the latter, 72 patients had pseudo bilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Comparisons of site of involvement, male to female ratio and the incidence of associated problems in unilateral, and true and pseudo bilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo did not reveal any statistically significant differences (p = 0.828, p = 0.200, p = 0.142). Comparisons of the number of manoeuvres required to provide symptom relief and the rate of recurrence were significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Identification of true and pseudo bilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is important given the differences in aetiology and treatment outcome. Treatment of patients with true bilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo requires several therapeutic manoeuvre attempts, and patients should be warned about recurrence.

Unilateral mimicking bilateral BPPV- a forgotten entity? Characteristics of a large cohort of patients, comparison with posterior canal BPPV and clinical implications

Objective

Unilateral mimicking bilateral benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (umb-BPPV) was attributed to inappropriate head positioning during testing of the posterior canal. Despite its inclusion in the Diagnostic criteria for the classification of vestibular disorders of the Bárány Society, the clinical characteristics and treatment responsiveness of this BPPV subtype have not been intensively studied.

Methods

Records of patients with BPPV seen at a single outpatient dizziness clinic during the years 2000–2020 were reviewed. Eighty seven patients with umb-BPPV and 86 random patients with posterior canal BPPV (p-BPPV) were retrieved. Their demographics and BPPV characteristics were analyzed.

Results

Patients' and BPPV characteristics were similar in umb- and p-BPPV except for the prevalence of males in the umb-BPPV group. No differences were found between treatment responsiveness and recurrences in both groups. The recurrence rate of umb-BPPV was not influenced by age, gender, BPPV side, duration of symptoms or treatment responsiveness during the first attack.

Conclusions

In accordance with our hypothesis about mixed canalo- and cupulolithiasis as the underlying mechanism of umb-BPPV, patients did not differ in characteristics and treatment responsiveness from p-BPPV patients. Recognition of umb-BPPV is important since inappropriate treatment can cause an unnecessary delay in therapy success.

Systematic Review of Bilateral Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the success rates of canalith repositioning maneuvers (CRM) in the treatment of patients diagnosed with bilateral benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BiBPPV).

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of only English studies in PubMed, Ovid (1946 to the present), and Embase (1974 to the present) databases was done up until January 1, 2021. Studies that diagnosed patients with BiBPPV specifically and evaluated the CRM success from all published years were included. Studies were excluded if follow-up was less than 6 months or if they failed to distinguish BiBPPV from ipsilateral multi-canal BPPV. A total of nine studies were included with a total study population of 325 patients. Included studies were evaluated for bias with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Study Quality Assessment Tool. Success rates of CRM, number of treatments required, and disease recurrence rates were extracted.

RESULTS

The overall success rate was compiled using a fixed-effect binary inverse variance model and was 95.2% (CI: 92.9%-97.5%). A qualitative review suggested treating the more affected side first on separate visits until resolved, followed by contralateral treatment (recommendation). The mean number of treatments was 2.9 (CI: 2.4-3.4), and the recurrence rate was 19.8% (CI: 11.7%-27.9%). There was a higher proportion of trauma etiology of BiBPPV compared to unilateral, with an odds ratio of 8.9 (CI: 5.1-15.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this meta-analysis shows high success rates for CRM in the treatment of BiBPPV. Rates are similar to CRM efficacy for unilateral BPPV. Laryngoscope, 2021.

Complex nystagmus in traumatic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: A case study on the critical value of knowing semicircular canal excitation and inhibition patterns

A 73-year-old female presented to the emergency department with chief complaint of dizziness after sustaining a fall one month prior to dizziness onset. Although careful examination of eye movement patterns during positional testing was attempted at varying stages of her inpatient admission, her complex nystagmus patterns as a result of traumatic benign paroxysmal vertigo were difficult to manage. In particular, the nystagmus pattern from this case suggests the BPPV was variable and affecting either 1) left posterior semicircular canal (pSCC) exclusively 2) left pSCC and right anterior semicircular canal, 3) left and right pSCC canal. This case illustrates the importance of two critical details; positional testing should include observing nystagmus with fixation removed and an experienced clinician should be involved as early as possible.

Diagnosis of Patients with Acute Dizziness

Using an algorithmic approach to acutely dizzy patients, physicians can often confidently make a specific diagnosis that leads to correct treatment and should reduce the misdiagnosis of cerebrovascular events. Emergency clinicians should try to become familiar with an approach that exploits timing and triggers as well as some basic "rules" of nystagmus. The gait should always be tested in all patients who might be discharged. Computed tomographic scans are unreliable to exclude posterior circulation stroke presenting as dizziness, and early MRI (within the first 72 hours) also misses 10% to 20% of these cases.

Incidence of unilateral and bilateral benign paroxysmal positional vertigo when the left and right Dix-Hallpike manoeuvres are positive: a model based on the sense of torsional nystagmus

Patients presenting with nystagmus indicative of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) during the left and the right Dix-Hallpike manoeuvres (DHMs) are frequently seen in clinical practice. In such cases, BPPV may be unilateral or bilateral. The aim of this study is to describe the incidence of unilateral and bilateral BPPV when both DHMs are positive, taking into account the sense of the torsional component of nystagmus. This is a prospective multicentre study. BPPV patients were classified into three groups: patients with only one positive DHM (control group, CG), patients showing positive bilateral DHM with nystagmus in the same sense in both DHMs (same sense group, SSG) and patients showing positive bilateral DHM with the torsional component of nystagmus beating in opposite senses in each DHM (opposite sense group, OSG). Only one Epley Manoeuvre (EM) was performed on all patients. Based on the ipsilateral result of the EM, the contralateral result of the same EM and the BPPV resolution rate in the control group, a model was developed to predict the incidence of unilateral and bilateral BPPV in the SSG and the OSG. There were 234 patients in the control group, 20 in the SSG and 23 in the OSG. The model estimated that the percentage of unilateral BPPV would be 89.5% in SSG and 38.7% in OSG. Using these findings, we conclude that when both DHMs are positive, BPPV may be unilateral or bilateral. If the torsional components of both nystagmuses beat in the same sense, it is more likely to be unilateral BPPV. If the torsional components beat in opposite senses, both situations can be considered equally likely.

[Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo]

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vestibular vertigo. It is caused by dislodged otoconia that enters the semicircular canals. Its main symptom is relapsing positional vertigo. The provocative tests, in particular the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, are used to confirm the diagnosis. In case of positive result of the test, one of the maneuvers is peformed depending on the affected semicircular canal, for instance the Epley maneuver. It is important to differentiate BPPV from the vertigo of central origin.

New scoring system of an interview for the diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Conclusion This study investigated a novel instrument to diagnose benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Objective To develop a new scoring system of an interview for the diagnosis of BPPV. Methods The answers to questions on dizziness and/or vertigo (D/V) (571 patients) were analyzed and the questions for which the answers differed significantly between the patients with and without BPPV were selected. Results This study established an intensive questionnaire with a scoring system. It consists of the following questions: (1) Is rotary vertigo a characteristic of your D/V? (2) Is your D/V triggered when you roll your head over in a supine position? (3) Does your D/V disappear within 5 min? (4) Have you previously experienced hearing loss in one ear, or have you experienced hearing loss, tinnitus, or ear fullness with this D/V? One point each was given to an answer of 'yes' to questions (1) and (2). Two points were given to an answer of 'yes' to question (3). One point was subtracted upon an answer of 'yes' to question (4). When the total score was greater than two points, the patient was diagnosed with BPPV. The sensitivity of the diagnosis of BPPV by this scoring system was 81% and the specificity was 69%.

Vertical nystagmus during the seated-supine positional (straight head-hanging) test in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

OBJECTIVE

This study describes the clinical features of up-beating vertical nystagmus observed during the seated-supine positional (straight head-hanging) test in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

METHODS

A total of 190 patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo symptoms who had presented between 2009 and 2012 were enrolled for this retrospective case series. Twelve patients with positional up-beating vertical nystagmus, as confirmed by video-nystagmography during the seated-supine positional test, were selected.

RESULTS

The incidence and duration of symptoms of multiple canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo were significantly lower compared with the other types of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (p = 0.029 and p = 0.048 respectively). Trauma was the leading aetiological factor in those patients (p = 0.012). The average number of therapeutic manoeuvres required for the relief of symptoms in patients with multiple canal involvement was significantly higher than in the other groups (p = 0.041).

CONCLUSION

In patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, the presence of vertical up-beating nystagmus while lying down is a unique peripheral sign and could indicate multiple canal involvement. Therefore, the seated-supine positional test should always be included in the test battery.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo with multiple canal involvement

PURPOSE

The aims of this study were to describe the frequency and clinical features of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) with multiple canal involvement and to evaluate the results of treatment by appropriate canalith repositioning procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 345 patients were referred for BPPV between 2006 and 2010. Thirty-two of them (9.3%) who had BPPV of multiple canals were studied. Thirteen were men (mean age, 60.4 years) and 19 were women (mean age, 56.8 years). Dix-Hallpike and supine roll tests were performed for diagnosis. Canalith repositioning procedures for treatment included modified Epley, barbecue, Gufoni, and anterior BPPV-specific maneuvers.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients had bilateral posterior canal BPPV, and 11 had mixed canal BPPV either on the same side (7 patients) or on both sides (4 patients). Thirty-one patients were cured with an average of 2.9 therapeutic sessions per patient. Recurrences occurred in 5 patients (15.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of multiple canals is not rare and presents a clinical challenge. However, accurate diagnosis results in successful treatment comparable with BPPV of 1 canal.

Diagnosis of the subtype and affected ear of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo using a questionnaire

CONCLUSION

The prediction of subtype and the affected ear of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) derived from the answers to our questionnaire can support the definitive diagnosis of BPPV.

OBJECTIVES

We examined to what extent the diagnosis of subtype and the affected ear of BPPV judged from answers to a questionnaire agreed with the diagnosis decided by the results of the positional nystagmus test.

METHODS

We asked the following questions: 'What kind of head movements induce vertigo?' and 'How long does the vertigo continue?'. As for the affected ear, we asked which ear was lower during stronger vertigo when induced in a supine position or during sleep.

RESULTS

The percentages of correct diagnosis speculated by the combined answers were 69% in posterior canal-type BPPV, 48% in BPPV with geotropic nystagmus, and 39% in BPPV with apogeotropic nystagmus. The percentage of correct diagnoses of the affected ear was more than 80%.

Diagnosis of Single- or Multiple-Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo according to the Type of Nystagmus

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common peripheral vestibular disorder encountered in primary care and specialist otolaryngology and neurology clinics. It is associated with a characteristic paroxysmal positional nystagmus, which can be elicited with specific diagnostic positional maneuvers, such as the Dix-Hallpike test and the supine roll test. Current clinical research focused on diagnosing and treating various types of BPPV, according to the semicircular canal involved and according to the implicated pathogenetic mechanism. Cases of multiple-canal BPPV have been specifically investigated because until recently these were resistant to treatment with standard canalith repositioning procedures. Probably, the most significant factor in diagnosis of the type of BPPV is observation of the provoked nystagmus, during the diagnostic positional maneuvers. We describe in detail the various types of nystagmus, according to the canals involved, which are the keypoint to accurate diagnosis.

3D analysis of benign positional nystagmus due to cupulolithiasis in posterior semicircular canal

CONCLUSIONS

The characteristic of both the vertical-torsional positional nystagmus with long time constant and its disappearance at the neutral head position could diagnose cupulolithiasis in posterior semicircular canal (PSCC) in the eight patients with the PSCC type of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (P-BPPV).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to diagnose cupulolithiasis in patients with P-BPPV.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We used three-dimensional rotation axis analysis of nystagmus of the vertical-torsional positional nystagmus in 111 patients with P-BPPV and evaluated its time constant. We then examined whether the vertical-torsional positional nystagmus with long time constant disappeared at the neutral head position where the axis of the heavy cupula of the affected PSCC is aligned with gravity.

RESULTS

The first parameter showed a wide variation that could be divided into two groups: one lasting more than 40 s in 8 patients and another below 20 s in 103 patients. Since the time constant of the positional nystagmus induced by cupulolithiasis was much longer than that induced by canalolithiasis, this finding suggests that cupulolithiasis in the PSCC induced the vertical-torsional positional nystagmus with a long time constant in the group of eight patients. The vertical-torsional positional nystagmus disappeared in these patients at the neutral head position, where the axis of the cupula of affected PSCC aligned with gravity.