Effectiveness of canalith repositioning manoeuvers (CRM) in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is the most common disorder of the vestibular system affected up to 21% of vertigo patients, characterised by short-lasting episodes of vertigo in association with rapid changes in head position. We have detected, treated and followed up 204 patients with BPPV during two years. 204 patients (163 women 41men) were enrolled in this study, at the time of evolution the duration of symptoms varied from several days to several months. We evaluated idiophatic forms of BPPV in 126 cases and secondary types BPPV in 78 cases. All patients with typical history of BPPV underwent neurological examination, including Dix-Hallpike (to detect posterior and anterior canal BPPV) and Roll Test (to detect horizontal canal BPPV). We treat patients with CRM and followed up them in 48 hours and 7 days, one month, 6 month and one year after initial management. Posterior semicircular canal was involved in 170 patients, remain 34 patients suffered from canalolithiasis of horisontal (31 patients) and anterior (3 patients) semicircular canal. After a single treatment session the symptoms disappeared completely in 139 patients, in 40 patients after twice, 16 patients after 3 times and 9 patients after 4 times maneuver sessions. No effectiveness was found in 5 patients; during follow-up 7 successfully treated patients experienced a recurrence between 1 and 6 months, in two cases after one year; they were retreated and all achieved a positive result. It is concluded that diagnosis of BPPV is simple and save, do not need expensive neuroradiological tests; CRM provides effective and long term control of symptoms in patients with BPPV.