[Treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo]

[Diagnosis and rehabilitation of anterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo]

OBJECTIVE

To develop a method for predicting otolithiasis recurrence within 1 year after benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) episode based on analysis of the anamnesis and standardized characteristics of the clinical symptoms and treatment of the disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 640 patients with BPPV, who were divided into two groups: the 1st group (n=458) - patients with no recurrence in 1 year of follow-up; the 2nd group (n=148) - patients with recurrence in the first year after treatment of BPPV episode. In order to identify risk factors, the initial clinical and anamnestic features associated with BPPV (gender, age, comorbidities), clinical symptoms and rehabilitation parameters of the last episode of the disease were analyzed. Diagnostic indices were calculated for the sets of selected features that reliably distinguished both groups of patients with absent/present BPPV recurrence within one year, and based on these, an algorithm was created using a Bayesian sequential diagnostic procedure to predict BPPV recurrence within 1 year of an identified and treated BPPV episode.

RESULTS

In the 2nd group there was the significant prevalence of elderly (older 65 years) and female patients. In these patients higher association with hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, neurological diseases, osteoporosis and lung diseases was observed. Diagnosis and treatment of recurrent patients in the 2nd group correlates with detection of horizontal nystagmus in Dix-Hallpike test in case of horizontal canal BPPV, requirement for several maneuvers per appointment, canal switch during reposition, resistant course of the disease, the need for additional self-treatment for patients between appointments, and the more frequent development of residual vertigo. Prognostic algorithm for predicting recurrence within 1 year of detected and treated posterior and horizontal canal BPPV episode was developed with a prediction accuracy of 75.3% (71.3%; 79%) and 79.4% (71.6%; 85.9%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The use of the algorithm proposed by us will allow not only to prevent the identified risk factors, but also to inform the patient in a timely and sufficient manner about the likelihood of a relapse of the disease in order to prevent the development of functional vertigo, as well as training in universal repositional maneuvers before a repeat consultation of specialist.

[Clinical features of BPPV and their influence on the choice of the doctor's tactics]

OBJECTIVES

BPPV is the most common cause of recurrent vertigo. Except vertigo attacks main clinical symptoms of BPPV can include autonomic symptoms and imbalance, which sometimes complicate the diagnosis of BPPV.

Purpose To evaluate clinical symptoms and management of patients with BPPV before the setting of correct diagnose.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 640 patients (504 (78.8%) women) aged from 20 to 86 years old, mean age 56.43±0.54 years with BPPV were included and diagnosed by roll and Dix-Hallpike tests. Among them 144 (22.5%) patients were inpatient and 496 (77.5%) patients were outpatient. The detailed patient intake comprised the disease onset, the type of dizziness, vertigo triggers, autonomic symptoms, similar attacks in the past and previously made definite diagnosis of BPPV. The period from the appearance of the first symptoms to the correct diagnosis was assessed.

RESULTS

The majority of patients (75.3%) consult a neurologist at the initial visit. Only 30.6% of patients had a correct diagnosis within a week of the onset of the disease. Initial BPPV symptoms included persistent dizziness that increased with head turns (38.8%), nausea and vomiting (21.6%), significant increase in blood pressure (13.4%), persistent imbalance while walking (73.4%). Inpatients more frequently had constant continuous dizziness, high blood pressure, severe nausea and vomiting, and the onset of symptoms in the morning when getting out of bed (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Initial BPPV symptoms may be similar to other diseases. Focusing on medical history and complaints leads to frequent diagnostic errors, unnecessary hospitalization and prolonged treatment of patients. Positional tests are necessary for the correct diagnosis of BPPV.

[Various types of vertigo and balance disorders in patients with Meniere's disease]

Vertigo and balance disorders in Meniere's disease (MD) may have various etiology. The aim of the review is discussing pathogenetic mechanisms of the typical vertiginous paroxysms in MD, resulting from endolymphatic hydrops as well as analysis of etiology, pathogenesis, clinical course and basic treatment of paroxysmal and permanent forms of vertigo and balance disorders, caused by other conditions, associated with MD. We discussed the course of MD complicated by vestibular migraine, benign positional paroxysmal vertigo, functional dizziness, bilateral vestibulopathy and vestibular drop-attacks.

[Repositioning maneuver for self-performing by patients in cupulolithiasis of horizontal canal BPPV]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficiency of the new repositioning maneuver for patients with horizontal canal cupulolithiasis benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) to perform independently at home between doctor's sessions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

28 patients with isolated horizontal canal cupulolithiasis BPPV were enrolled. In all of them treatment with Gufoni maneuver was not successful after first session. They were divided in M«-» group (17 patients), M«-» group (11 patients). M«-» group performed forced prolong prositionig on the side with less dizziness between sessions. M«-» group performed forced prolong prositionig on the side with less dizziness and 3-5 repetitions of new repositioning maneuver 2-3 times a day between sessions. Repositioning maneuver consists of head shaking, then moving to one side-lying position with maintaining it until dizziness stops and resuming the upright sitting position, then without a pause performing head shaking and moving to the other side-lying position with maintaining it until dizziness stops and resuming the upright sitting position. The patients visited doctor once a week. Before treatment and 1 week after treatment dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) was administrated.

RESULTS

After 2 and 3 weeks of treatment more patients in M«-» group than in M«-» group were cured (p<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment the number of recovered patients did not significantly differ in both groups. After 1 week of treatment according to DHI scores in M«-» group there were less patients with mild dizziness and more patients with moderate dizziness than in M«-» group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Recovery from horizontal canal cupulolithisis BPPV could be achieved at an early date with self-performing of new repositioning maneuver. Patient-perceived disability in persisting horizontal canal cupulolithiasis could be less if the new repositioning maneuver is performed.

[Clinical and psychological features in patients with incident and recurrent cases of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical and psychological features in patients with incident and recurrent posterior canal BPPV.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 47 patients (mean age 49.1±10.9 years; 12.8% of men and 87.2% of women) with idiopathic BPPV, posterior canal. According to the anamnesis, the patients were divided into two groups: 27 (57.4%) patients with incident BPPV (iBPPV) and 20 (42.6%) patients with recurrent BPPV (rBPPV). All patients were treated with repositioning Epley and/or Semont maneuvers until resolution of canalolithiasis. After that, clinical and psychological testing was immediately carried out, including short version of Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Visual analogue scale (VAS) for fear of vertigo spells, Depersonalization-Derealization Inventory (DDI), Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) of Holmes and Rahe, Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ).

RESULTS

Patients with rBPPV compared with iBPPV had more severe symptoms of dizziness according to DHI (p=0.02) due to a functional and emotional subscales, as well as a more pronounced feeling of fear according to VAS (p=0.01). The data obtained on the remaining scales and questionnaires did not show statistically significant differences between the groups. The revealed results may indicate a greater predisposition of patients with rBPPV to the development of a special kind of mental disorders - functional dizziness or persistent postural-perceptual dizziness, which requires additional study and development of preventive measures.