Benign Positional Vertigo Health Article

Recovery and rehabilitation

Recovery and rehabilitation is favorable. Most patients recover well with head-tilting exercises. Patients who have recurrence of symptoms will undergo further exercises or surgical correction, which is successful for resolution of symptoms in more than 90% of surgical candidates.

Clinical trials

A large study is currently active concerning the treatment of BPV in family practice at McMaster University Department of Family Medicine in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Contact is Shawn Ling at (905) 521-2100 ext. 75451; fax: (905) 521-5010; e-mail: lingfpu@yahoo.ca. Clinical trials as of 2001 reported good results using the Epley canalith repositioning maneuver. In 86 patients studied, 70% had resolution of symptoms within two days after treatment.

Prognosis

The overall prognosis for patients who suffer from BPV is good. Spontaneous remission can occur within six weeks, but some cases never remit. Once treated, the recurrence rate is between 5% and 15%.

BOOKS

Goldman, Lee, et al. Cecil's Textbook of Medicine, 21st ed. Philadelphia: WB. Saunders Company, 2000.

PERIODICALS

Chang, Andrew K. "Benign Positional Vertigo." eMedicine Series (April 2002).

Haynes, D. S. "Treatment of Benign Positional Vertigo Using the Semont Maneuver: Efficacy in Patients Presenting without Nystagmus." Laryngoscope 112:5 (May 2002).

Li, John. "Benign Positional Vertigo." eMedicine Series (December 2001).

WEBSITES

"Benign Positional Vertigo." (May 17, 2004.) <http://search.allrefer.com/cgi-bin/allreferhealth.cgi?q=Benign+positional+vertigo&ul=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.allrefer.com%2F>.

"Benign Positional Vertigo." (May 17, 2004.) <http://www.4medstudents.com/students/BPPV.PPT>.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Hearing Research Association Foundation. 8 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 814, Chicago, IL 60603-4539. (312) 726-9670; Fax: (312) 726-9695.

Laith Farid Gulli, MD

Robert Ramirez, DO

Nicole Mallory, MS,PA-C