Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo--toward new definitions

Inversion Test and Sitting-Up Oculomotor Patterns in Patients with Graviceptive Heavy Posterior Cupula - A Case Series

A graviceptive heavy posterior cupula typically results from cupulolithiasis and clinically manifests as short vertigo spells when the head moves in the provocative position. Half-Hallpike test (HHT) in posterior cupulolithiasis (PSC-BPPV-cu) elicits an upbeating ipsitorsional nystagmus (UBITN), which lasts more than a minute as per the consensus criteria developed by the Barany Society. In the last decade, cases with canalolithiasis in the short arm of the posterior semicircular canal (PSC-BPPV-sa), wherein the otoconial debris falls on the utricular side of the posterior cupula on getting up from supine, rendering it heavy (graviceptive), have been reported. Such patients complain of sitting-up vertigo, associated with a constant disequilibrium, and anteroposterior truncal oscillations are recorded by ad hoc posturography in many of these patients. The oculomotor patterns generated in such patients during the HHT may be identical to those resulting from PSC-BPPV-cu. Rarely do the two conditions (PSC-BPPV-cu and PSC-BPPV-sa) coexist. Nine cases of graviceptive heavy cupula were diagnosed at our center over a period of 6 months from September 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, with their characteristic diagnostic oculomotor patterns, distinguishing features, and management discussed. We propose a grading system for the inversion test during the HHT that reliably distinguishes PSC-BPPV-cu from PSC-BPPV-sa, as well as when the two conditions coexist.

Canal switch: a possible complication of physical therapeutic manoeuvers for posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Objective

To study the frequency of canal switch in posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) treated by canalith repositioning manoeuver (CRP), quick liberatory rotation manoeuver (QLR) or Semont manoeuver (SM).

Methods

Retrospective study on 1158 patients, 637 women and 521 men suffering from geotropic posterior canal BPPV treated by CRP, QLR, or SM, retested after 15 minutes and about seven days.

Results

1146 patients recovered from the acute phase; treatments failed in 12 patients treated with CRP. We observed 12 canal switches from posterior to lateral canal and 2 from posterior to anterior canal during or after CRP in 13/879 cases (1.5%) and after QLR in 1/158 (0.6%) with no significant difference between CRP vs SM and QLR. We did not consider slight positional downbeat nystagmus after the therapeutic manoeuvers as a sign of canal switch into the anterior canal, but as a sign of persistent small debris in the non-ampullar arm of the posterior canal.

Conclusions

Canal switch is rare for any manoeuver and it does not belong to the criteria to choose one manoeuver over another. Notably, due to the canal switching criteria, SM and QLR cannot be preferred over those with a more prolonged extension of the neck.

Case report: Atypical patterns of nystagmus suggest posterior canal cupulolithiasis and short-arm canalithiasis

Background

Atypical posterior canal (PC) positional nystagmus may be due to the changes in cupular response dynamics from cupulolithiasis (cu), canalithiasis of the short arm (ca-sa), or a partial/complete obstruction—jam. Factors that change the dynamics are the position of the head in the pitch plane, individual variability in the location of the PC attachment to the utricle and the position of the cupula within the ampulla, and the location of debris within the short arm and on the cupula. The clinical presentation of PC-BPPV-cu is DBN with torsion towards the contralateral side in the DH positions and SHHP or no nystagmus in the ipsilateral DH position and no nystagmus upon return to sitting from each position. The clinical presentation of PC-BPPV-ca-sa is no nystagmus in the DH position and upbeat nystagmus (UBN) with torsion lateralized to the involved side upon return to sitting from each position.

Case description

A 68-year-old woman, diagnosed with BPPV, presented with DBN associated with vertigo in both DH positions and without nystagmus or symptoms on sitting up. In the straight head hanging position (SHHP), the findings of a transient burst of UBN with left torsion associated with vertigo suggested ipsicanal conversion from the left PC-BPPV-cu to canalithiasis. Treatment included a modified canalith repositioning procedure (CRP), which resulted in complete resolution. BPPV recurred 17 days later. Clinical presentation of BPPV included no nystagmus/symptoms in both the contralateral DH position and SHHP, DBN in the ipsilateral DH position without symptoms, and UBN with left torsion associated with severe truncal retropulsion and nausea on sitting up from provoking position. The findings suggested the left PC-BPPV-cu-sa and PC-BPPV-ca-sa. Treatment included neck extension, a modified CRP, and demi-Semont before complete resolution.

Conclusion

An understanding of the biomechanics of the vestibular system is necessary to differentially diagnose atypical PC-BPPV. DH test (DHT) findings suggest that PC-BPPV-cu presents with DBN or no nystagmus in one or two DH positions and sometimes SHHP and without nystagmus or no reversal/reversal of nystagmus on sitting up. The findings suggest PC-BPPV-ca-sa has no nystagmus in DH positions or DBN in the ipsilateral DH position and UBN with torsion lateralized to the involved side on sitting up.

Short-Term Effect of Epley Maneuver as Treatment for Subjective Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Subjective Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (S-BPPV) is an atypical form of BPPV, its treatment is not well characterized and is not well known among otolaryngologists. The main aim of this study was to estimate the short-term efficacy of Epley maneuver as treatment for S-BPPV. This was a prospective study in a secondary care center. We included patients with unilateral S-BPPV demonstrated by negative nystagmus on Dix-Hallpike Maneuver (DHM) but with unilateral vestibular symptoms (dizziness or vertigo). Epley maneuver to the affected side was performed. Patients underwent Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and at 1-week follow-up, DHI and DHM were repeated. Outcome measures were resolution of symptoms during DHM and improvement of DHI scores. Patients were divided into resolved and unresolved groups according to the absence or presence of symptoms during the 1 week DHM. Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used, quantitative values were reported as mean and standard deviation. The results included thirteen participants, 12 females and 1 male, mean age 53.31 years (SD ± 15.71). Right ear was involved in 46.15% and left in 53.84%. A total of 46.15% patients (n = 6) had resolution of symptoms. DHI initial score for the resolved group was 34.66 ± 22 and for the unresolved group was 39.71 ± 19.61 (p = 0.568). At 1-week evaluation scores were 19.66 ± 25.05 for the resolved group and 30.28 ± 21.42 for the unresolved group (p = 0.252). DHI improvement was 15.00 ± 23.21 and 9.42 ± 10.17 for each group, respectively (p = 0.943). We concluded the Epley maneuver is an effective short-term treatment for S-BPPV. Half of the patients would need further diagnostic tests.

“Sitting-up vertigo as an expression of posterior semicircular canal heavy cupula and posterior semicircular canal short arm canalolithiasis”

Background

Vestibular symptoms on sitting-up are frequent on patients seen by vestibular specialists. Recently, a benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) variant which elicits vestibular symptoms with oculomotor evidence of posterior semicircular canal (P-SCC) cupula stimulation on sitting-up was described and named sitting-up vertigo BPPV. A periampullar restricted P-SCC canalolithiasis was proposed as a causal mechanism.

Objective

To describe new mechanisms of action for the sitting-up vertigo BPPV variant.

Methods

Eighteen patients with sitting-up vertigo BPPV were examined with a pre-established set of positional maneuvers and follow-up until they resolved their symptoms and clinical findings.

Results

All patients showed up-beating torsional nystagmus (UBTN) and vestibular symptoms on coming up from either Dix-Hallpike (DHM) or straight head-hanging maneuver. Sixteen out of 18 patients presented a sustained UBTN with an ipsitorsional component to the tested side on half-Hallpike maneuver (HH). A slower persistent contratorsional down-beating nystagmus was found in eleven out 18 patients tested on nose down position (ND).

Conclusions

Persistent direction changing positional nystagmus on HH and ND positions indicative of P-SCC heavy cupula was found in 11 patients. A sustained UBTN on HH with the absence of findings on ND, which is suggestive of the presence of P-SCC short arm canalolithiasis, was found on 5 patients. All patients were treated with canalith repositioning maneuvers without success, but they resolved their findings by means of Brandt-Daroff exercises. We propose P-SCC heavy cupula and P-SCC short arm canalolithiasis as two new putative mechanisms for the sitting-up vertigo BPPV variant.

Prevalence of and Theoretical Explanation for Type 2 Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A variant of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) involves the subjective report of vertigo without the coinciding nystagmus. This presentation includes truncal retropulsion when sitting up from the ipsilesional provocative test (ie, Dix-Hallpike), which we term type 2 BPPV. The primary objective of this study is to prospectively determine the prevalence and describe the clinical course of type 2 BPPV. We offer a theoretical explanation for the absence of nystagmus.

METHODS

Prospective, observational study carried out in 2 tertiary hospitals. One hundred eighty patients (134 women, 46 men) met the inclusion criteria and were included between January 10, 2018, and October 30, 2019. Efficacy of physical therapy maneuvers was determined at 1-week follow-up. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the planes of the semicircular canal cupula from histological preparations are offered as evidence for the theoretical explanation.

RESULTS

One-third of the patients met the criteria for type 2 BPPV; the remainder had typical posterior or horizontal semicircular canal involvement. Symptoms from type 2 BPPV were longer in duration yet responded favorably to physical therapy maneuvers. Upon repeat testing, 19 patients treated for posterior canalithiasis developed a slight, persistent positional downbeat nystagmus in the Dix-Hallpike position that we propose as evidence the otoconia entered the short arm of the posterior semicircular canal.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Our data and 3-dimensional rendering suggest the report of vertigo, yet absent nystagmus in type 2 BPPV is from otoconia aligning with the gravitoinertial vector during provocative testing that precludes cupular stimulation. Type 2 BPPV appears to be a common and treatable form of vertigo.Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1 available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A372).

Less common forms of posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

The most common form of posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is characterised by positional, paroxysmal, upbeat nystagmus, with a torsional component beating towards the downward ear. Rarer variants have been reported, putatively due to either the position of otoconia in the canal or anatomic variations of the semicircular canals. The most frequent less common form is apogeotropic posterior canal BPPV, in which the positional nystagmus is downbeat and torsional apogeotropic. In this form, the main problems are differential diagnosis with central mimics of BPPV and identification of the affected canal and its side. The authors propose a new subtype of apogeotropic posterior canal BPPV hypothesising the localization of otoconia in the ampullary tract of the affected canal, which might explain the modality of the conversion in typical posterior canal BPPV which they observed in some of these cases. If nystagmus of the less common forms of posterior canal BPPV is explicable through purely peripheral mechanisms, these forms should no longer be defined as “atypical” but, in a less demanding way, as “less common” variants, which must be recognised by any expert otoneurologist.

Peripheral Downbeat Positional Nystagmus: Apogeotropic Posterior Canal or Anterior Canal BPPV

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Downbeat nystagmus (DBN) during the Dix-Hallpike test (DHT) suggests excitation of the anterior canal (AC) or inhibition of the posterior canal (PC) underlying benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This case series describes 2 individuals presenting with DBN in positional testing suggestive of a PC BPPV variant termed apogeotropic PC-BPPV and due to inhibition of the PC.

CASE DESCRIPTIONS

Case 1 illustrates a DBN during positional testing (PC inhibition) that changes to an upbeating nystagmus (PC excitation) representing the otoconial material changing location and direction of movement within the PC. Case 2 describes a canal jam in the nonampullary segment of the PC.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Apogeotropic PC-BPPV can cause DBN due to inhibition of the vestibular afferent. Apogeotropic PC-BPPV may be due to a canal jam of debris within the nonampullary segment or cupulolithiasis with debris attached to the inferior-most aspect of the cupula within the PC. It can be difficult to differentiate AC-BPPV from the apogeotropic PC-BPPV variant. In both forms, the affected canal may be provoked in 1 or both positions of the DHT and straight head hanging position. However, in AC-BPPV there may only be a slight or absent torsional component toward the involved ear. In apogeotropic PC-BPPV, a strong torsion away from the involved ear is typically observed. The straight head hanging position may resolve AC-BPPV or convert apogeotropic PC-BPPV to typical PC-BPPV.

SUMMARY

These 2 cases illustrate atypical variants of BPPV that clinicians must consider in their interpretation of DBN during positional testing, particularly in the absence of other neurological signs.

Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo Treatment: a Practical Update

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

To define the best up-to-date practical approach to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

RECENT FINDINGS

Both posterior and horizontal canal BPPV canalith repositioning maneuvers (Semont, Epley, and Gufoni's maneuvers) are level 1 evidence treatment for evidence-based medicine. The choice of maneuver (since their efficacy is comparable) is up to the clinician's preferences, failure of the previous maneuver, or movement restrictions of the patient. Maneuvers for controversial variants, such as anterior canal and apogeotropic posterior canal BPPV, have weaker evidence of efficacy. Despite this, these variants are increasingly diagnosed and treated. Maneuvers also play a role in the differential diagnosis with central vestibular disorders. Chair-assisted treatment may be of help if available while surgical canal plugging should be indicated in selected same-canal, same-side intractable severe BPPV. The primary evidence-based treatment strategy for BPPV should be physical therapy through maneuvers. Despite the high success rate of liberatory maneuvers, there is a low percentage of subjects who have unsatisfactory outcomes. These patients need to be investigated to identify recurrences, multiple canal involvement, associated comorbidities (migraine, persistent postural perceptual dizziness), or risk factors for recurrences (low vitamin D serum level). Future research should also identify the optimum maneuvers for variants whose diagnosis and treatment are still a matter of some debate.

Comparative Study on the Roles of the Number of Accelerations and Rotation Angle in the Treatment Maneuvers for Posterior Semicircular Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

AIMS

This study aims to investigate the roles of the number of accelerations and rotation angle in the treatment of posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PC-BPPV).

METHODS

We enrolled 344 patients with unilateral PC-BPPV. Of these, 167 patients in the simple-step maneuver (SSM) group were accelerated twice and rotated 120° per step, whereas 177 patients in the multi-step maneuver (MSM) group were accelerated 4 times and rotated 60° per step. Dix-Hallpike (DH) tests were performed to categorize the treatment outcome as follows: 'symptom free' if the result was negative, 'symptom persistent' if the result remained positive after performing the maneuver 3 times or 'canal conversion' if horizontal nystagmus was evoked.

RESULTS

Of the patients in the SSM and MSM groups, 78.4 and 91.5% became symptom free, respectively, while canal conversion occurred in 13.8 and 5.1%, respectively (p = 0.003, χ(2) test). The success rate after performing the maneuver once was 57.1% in the MSM and 32.3% in the SSM symptom-free patients (p = 0.001, χ(2) test). One month after the treatment, 22.0 and 9.6% of the SSM and MSM patients had symptom relapse, respectively (p = 0.007, χ(2) test).

CONCLUSIONS

More accelerations and a smaller rotation angle improved the effectiveness and efficiency of the repositioning maneuvers and reduced canal conversion.