Posterior semicircular canal type benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo with ageotropic paroxysmal positioning nystagmus

We report on 3 patients with typical benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo (BPPV) and atypical, paroxysmal positioning nystagmus. When the Dix-Hallpike test was performed, the patients exhibited an ageotropic nystagmus, different from that classically described in posterior semicircular canal BPPV. It was torsional-vertical with the vertical component beating downwards, and the torsional component was beating away from the lowermost ear. In both left and right Dix-Hallpike positions, the upper poles of the eyes were turning away from the lowermost ear. The atypical ageotropic paroxysmal positional nystagmus of the posterior semicircular canal was observed in the evolution of the BPPV in 2 patients and on the first examination in the third. Two patients had changing patterns of paroxysmal positioning nystagmus.     

不同变位试验在良性阵发性位置性眩晕的诊断价值

目的：探讨不同变位试验在诊断良性阵发性位置性眩晕（BPPV）中的价值。方法：对我科2000年2月～2004年4月诊断的后半规管（PC）源性良性眩晕72例,采用交叉设计,随机将其中36例先行Dix-Hallpike试验,再行侧卧试验;男36例试验排序与其相反。此后再行仰卧侧头位试验。结果：Dix-Hallpike试验和侧卧试验在诊断PC—BPPV中所得结果具有关联性（P〈0．01）,诊断阳性率差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;两者裸眼观察到眼震的典型阳性反应分别为77．9％及77．1％,差异亦无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。2种试验诱发眩晕和（或）眼震具有的潜伏期、持续期及性质、方向等特征无差异。1例患者同时仰卧侧头位试验阳性,诊断同时存在PC—BPPV。结论：在诊断PC—BPPV中,侧卧试验与Dix-Hallpike具有相同的客观诊断价值。在活动受限的情形下,侧卧试验更易于操作及更具安全性,可完全取代Dix-Hallpike试验。在前2种试验出现水平眼震时应同时行仰卧头位试验,以确定是否同时伴有或为水平半规管源性病变。     

水平半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕的诊断

目的探讨水平半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕（BPPV）的诊断。方法自2003年1月至2006年9月，本眩晕中心共确诊为水平半规管BPPV（HSC BPPV）患者46例。诊断依据为典型的病史及用红外视频眼震电图仪记录患者在Dix—Hallpike试验和滚转试验中的眼震结果，并排除其他疾病。研究HSC BPPV的眼震特点。结果441例诊断为BPPV患者中，46例（10．43％）为水平半规管BPPV。其中38例（82．61％）为单侧病变，5例（10．87％）患者合并同侧后半规管病变，3例（6．52％）为双侧病变。35例患者通过两种试验诱发出水平眼震，11例患者仅通过滚转试验诱发出水平眼震。25例患者眼震方向向地，13例患者眼震方向背地，3例患者眼震方向不固定，5例患者各种手法诱发出同一方向的眼震。29例患者在双侧手法中出现眼震，17例患者在一侧手法中出现眼震。结论HSC BPPV眼震为完全水平性且多为快相向地。通常受累耳在双侧手法中均可出现眼震，以向患侧为重。一侧水平半规管和后半规管可同时受累。滚转试验在HSC BPPV检查中比Dix—Hallpike试验更加敏感。Dix—Hallpike试验结合滚转试验可使更多的HSCBPPV患者得到确诊．     

A novel maneuver for diagnosis and treatment of torsional-vertical down beating positioning nystagmus: anterior canal and apogeotropic posterior canal BPPV

IntroductionIn patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, BPPV; a torsional-vertical down beating positioning nystagmus can be elicited in the supine straight head-hanging position test or in the Dix-Hallpike test to either side. This type of nystagmus can be explained by either an anterior canal BPPV or by an apogeotropic variant of the contralateral posterior canal BPPV Until now all the therapeutic maneuvers that have been proposed address only one possibility, and without first performing a clear differential diagnosis between them.ObjectiveTo propose a new maneuver for torsional-vertical down beating positioning nystagmus with a clear lateralization that takes into account both possible diagnoses (anterior canal-BPPV and posterior canal-BPPV).MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted on 157 consecutive patients with BPPV. The new maneuver was performed only in those with torsional-vertical down beating positioning nystagmus with clear lateralization.ResultsTwenty patients (12.7%) were diagnosed with a torsional-vertical down beating positioning nystagmus. The maneuver was performed in 10 (6.35%) patients, in whom the affected side was clearly determined. Seven (4.45%) patients were diagnosed with an anterior canal-BPPV and successfully treated. Two (1.25%) patients were diagnosed with a posterior canal-BPPV and successfully treated with an Epley maneuver after its conversion into a geotropic posterior BPPV.ConclusionThis new maneuver was found to be effective in resolving all the cases of torsional-vertical down beating positioning nystagmus-BPPV caused by an anterior canal-BPPV, and in shifting in a controlled way the posterior canal-BPPV cases of the contralateral side into a geotropic-posterior-BPPV successfully treated during the followup visit. Moreover, this new maneuver helped in the differential diagnosis between anterior canal-BPPV and a contralateral posterior canal-BPPV.     

Treatment of benign positional vertigo using the semont maneuver: efficacy in patients presenting without nystagmus

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of the Semont liberatory maneuver on "objective" benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) defined as vertigo with geotropic nystagmus in Dix-Hallpike positioning versus "subjective" BPPV defined as vertigo without nystagmus in Dix-Hallpike positioning. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: One hundred sixty-two patients with positional vertigo during Dix- Hallpike positioning were identified. Patients were evaluated for the presence or absence of nystagmus. All patients underwent the Semont liberatory maneuver. The patient's condition at follow-up was documented at 3 weeks as complete, partial, or failure. Repeated procedures were performed if necessary. RESULTS: There were 127 cases of objective BPPV and 35 cases of subjective BPPV. Overall, 90% of all patients tested had significant improvement of their vertigo after 1.49 maneuvers on average. Improvement was seen in 91% of patients with objective BPPV after 1.59 maneuvers on average, compared with 86% in subjective BPPV after 1.13 maneuvers on average (chi2 test, not significant [P = .5]). Patients with a history of traumatic origin or cause had an overall success rate of 81% compared with 92% for nontraumatic causes or origins (chi2 test, not significant [P = .1]). Recurrences were seen in 29% of patients after a successful initial maneuver; however, 96% of these patients responded to further maneuvers. Four patients with persistent symptoms after conservative management underwent posterior semicircular canal occlusion with resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSION: The Semont liberatory maneuver provides relief of vertigo in patients with positional vertigo, even in patients without objective nystagmus.     

Approach to bilateral benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo

BACKGROUND: Bilateral benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo (bBPPV) is rather rare, accounting for up to 10% in the reported benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo (BPPV) series. Inappropriate head positioning during testing in unilateral BPPV causes the otolith debris in the uppermost ear to move toward the cupula, resulting in an inhibitory nystagmus and mimicking bBPPV. PURPOSE: We analyzed the clinical data of patients with bilaterally positive Dix-Hallpike maneuver and compared them with the characteristics of patients with unilateral BPPV. We further tried to propose a simple schematic approach to the treatment of patients with bilaterally positive Dix-Hallpike maneuver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 232 patients treated for BPPV at our dizziness clinic during 1999 to 2003 were reviewed. An algorithm used for the treatment of patients with bilaterally positive BPPV is discussed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients with bilaterally positive Dix-Hallpike test were found. Sixteen were diagnosed with bBPPV, and 12 were diagnosed with unilateral mimicking bBPPV. Thirty patients with unilateral posterior canal BPPV served as control subjects. No difference in age, sex distribution, duration of symptoms, number of treatments per ear, and recurrence was found between bBPPV and unilateral BPPV. The female sex appeared to be predisposed for more treatments. The total duration of BPPV symptoms obtained by history was found to correlate with the number of recurrences after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that bBPPV can be readily distinguished from unilateral mimicking bBPPV. Patients with bBPPV do not differ from patients with unilateral BPPV in clinical characteristics. The mechanism of otolith debris dislodgment appears to be the main cause of bilaterality, trauma being a more common trigger than other known causes of BPPV.     

Clinical features of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Our understanding of the pathomechanism of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) has improved dramatically. A type of BPPV featuring mixed torsional and vertical nystagmus induced by the Dix-Hallpike maneuver involves the posterior semicircular canal (P-BPPV). The other type of BPPV featuring horizontal nystagmus induced by spine-to-lateral head positioning involves the horizontal canal BPPV (H-BPPV). In complaints of vertigo or dizziness, 619 patients visited our department last year. Of these, 142 (23%) was had positional nystagmus consistent with a diagnosis of BPPV, 118 (19%) had no nystagmus but were suspected of BPPV due to vertigo episodes. BPPV was the most frequent diagnosis. H-BPPV was not rare, but accounted for 30% of BPPV. Of H-BPPV, 73% featured direction changing geotropic nystagmus, and 27% direction changing apogeotropic nystagmus. H-BPPV resolved faster than P-BPPV. Most cases caused by head trauma were P-BPPV. Transition between P- and H-BPPV was found in 6 cases. Women outnumbered men by about 3 to 2 in both P- and H-BPPV. Peak incidence was found in the those in their 60s and 70s, suggesting that the etiologies of both types of BPPV are essentially the same.     

良性阵发性位置性眩晕的眼震图研究

目的:探讨视频眼震图(VNG)在良性阵发性位置性眩晕(BPPV)中的应用价值。方法:回顾126例BPPV患者的VNG资料,分析总结各型BPPV在Dix-Hallpike和滚转试验中VNG上的眼震特点。结果:126例BPPV患者中,后半规管BPPV(PSC-BPPV)98例(77.8%),水平半规管BPPV(HSC-BPPV)17例(13.5%),前半规管BPPV(ASC-BPPV)5例(3.9%),混合型BPPV6例(4.8%);28例PSC-BPPV记录到反转相眼震。VNG上显示PSC和ASC管石症Dix-Hallpike悬头位垂直相眼震分别向上、向下,水平相眼震均向对侧,回到坐位时眼震反向。HSC-BPPV滚转试验向两侧转头均可诱发出眼震,眼震与转头方向相同时,可判断为HSC管石症,以能够诱发较强眼震的转头侧为患侧;眼震与转头方向相反时,则为HSC嵴顶结石症,以能够诱发较弱眼震的转头侧为患侧。结论:VNG能够客观地记录BPPV患者的眼震情况,准确判断耳石所在的半规管,并且保存了眼震数据资料,可以进一步指导临床实践,值得推广。     

Prospective study of positional nystagmus in 100 consecutive patients

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the various diagnoses of patients who present with positional nystagmus. METHODS: Positional maneuvers were systematically performed in the plane of the posterior canal (PC; Dix-Hallpike maneuver) and the horizontal canal (HC; patients were rolled to either side in a supine position) on 490 consecutive patients essentially referred for vertigo and/or gait unsteadiness. RESULTS: One hundred patients (20%) presented positional nystagmus. This nystagmus had a peripheral origin in 83 patients, including 80 patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). In BPPV, the PC was involved in 61 patients, the HC in 18 patients (geotropic horizontal nystagmus in 11 and ageotropic in 7; changing from geotropic to ageotropic or the reverse in 4 patients), and both the PC and HC in 1 patient. There was evidence of central positional nystagmus in 12 patients, including positional downbeat nystagmus during the Dix-Hallpike maneuver in 7 patients with various neurologic disorders, and ageotropic horizontal nystagmus during the HC maneuver in 2 patients with, respectively, cerebellar ischemia and definite migrainous vertigo. The peripheral or central origin of the positional nystagmus could not be ascertained in 5 patients, including 1 patient with probable migrainous vertigo and another with possible anterior canal BPPV. CONCLUSIONS: A rotatory-upbeat nystagmus in the context of PC BPPV, a horizontal nystagmus, whether geotropic or ageotropic, due to HC BPPV, and a positional downbeat nystagmus related to various central disorders are the 3 most common types of positional nystagmus. Geotropic horizontal positional nystagmus and, most certainly, horizontal positional nystagmus changing from geotropic to ageotropic or the reverse point to HC BPPV. In contrast, an ageotropic horizontal positional nystagmus that is not changing (from ageotropic to geotropic) may indicate a central lesion.     

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo due to a simultaneous involvement of both horizontal and posterior semicircular canals

From April 2001 to November 2003, we investigated 8 patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) that was suspected to simultaneously affect both the horizontal and posterior semicircular canals (HSCC and PSCC). These cases showed typical vertical-torsional nystagmus induced by the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, followed by a horizontal nystagmus. They also showed a direction-changing geotropic or apogeotropic positional nystagmus triggered by lateral head rotations in the supine position. Using the three-dimensional analysis of the positional nystagmus, the rotation axis of the positional nystagmus had a component perpendicular to the plane of PSCC and another component perpendicular to the plane of HSCC. All these findings suggest that BPPV in these patients was a combination of posterior and horizontal canal BPPV. The observation of a vertical-torsional positional nystagmus should prompt the specialist to perform not only the canalith repositioning procedure, but also to execute lateral head turns in the supine position.     

Combined horizontal and posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in three patients with head trauma

We report 3 patients who complained of positional vertigo shortly after head trauma. Positional maneuvers performed in the plane of the posterior canal (PC; Dix-Hallpike maneuver) and the horizontal canal (HC; patients were rolled to either side in a supine position with the head raised 30 degrees) revealed a complex positional nystagmus that could only be interpreted as the result of combined PC and HC benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Two patients had a right PC BPPV and an ageotropic HC BPPV, and 1 patient had a bilateral PC BPPV and a left geotropic HC BPPV. All 3 patients were rapidly free of vertigo after the PC BPPV was cured by the Epley maneuver and the geotropic HC BPPV was cured by the Vannucchi method. The ageotropic HC BPPV resolved spontaneously. Neuroimaging (brain computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging scans) findings were normal in all 3 patients. From a physiopathological viewpoint, it is easy to conceive that head trauma could throw otoconial debris into different canals of each labyrinth and be responsible for these combined forms of BPPV. Consequently, in trauma patients with vertigo, it is mandatory to perform the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, as well as supine lateral head turns, in order to diagnose PC BPPV, HC BPPV, or the association of both. Early diagnosis and treatment of BPPV may help to reduce the postconcussion syndrome.     

Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo in the general ear, nose, and throat clinic

Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo is a common disease which may be caused by abnormal movement of utricular debris in the posterior semicircular canal. It is diagnosed by the Dix-Hallpike positional maneuver eliciting vertigo and nystagmus. Treatment generally consists of physical exercises with the Epley or Semont maneuvers. We review 43 consecutive patients diagnosed as BPPV in the last year and treated with physical therapy (Epley maneuvers). Results were very good, with a cure rate of 88.37% (53.5% after a single maneuver). Physical therapy is an effective treatment for BPPV.     

正中悬头位Dix-Hallpike法诊断良性阵发性位置性眩晕

目的评价正中悬头位Dix-Hallpike诱发检查法在诊断后半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕(benign paroxysmal positional vertigo,BPPV)中的意义。方法回顾性总结广东省人民医院耳鼻咽喉科眩晕门诊2008年4月1日到5月29日根据经典或者正中悬头位Dix-Hallpike法诊断为后半规管BPPV患者28例的临床资料,均首先进行正中悬头位Dix-Hallpike诱发试验,如结果为阴性后继续行经典Dix-Hallpike检测证实为后半规管性BPPV。比较正中悬头位Dix-Hallpike相对于经典Dix-Hallpike的阳性率。结果28例后半规管BPPV患者中,正中悬头位Dix-Hallpike诱发试验相对于经典Dix-Hallpike诱发实验的阳性率为78.57%(22/28)。结论正中悬头位Dix-Hallpike法诊断BPPV可以有效地简化诊治程序,并减轻部分患者诱发的眩晕及眼震强度,具有一定的临床意义。但由于其阳性率低于经典方法,故在临床上不能完全代替经典方法。     

Treatment of benign positional vertigo in the elderly: a randomized trial

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of three therapeutic strategies (Semont maneuver, flunarizine, and no treatment) in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized prospective trial. METHODS: One hundred fifty-six consecutive patients older than 60 years of age who were affected by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior semicircular canal were enrolled. The diagnosis was made on the basis of the history of recurrent sudden crisis of vertigo and positional-induced typical nystagmus after Dix-Hallpike positioning maneuver. Patients were randomly allocated to receive Semont liberatory maneuver (intended as a statoconia-detachment maneuver), flunarizine, or no treatment. A post-treatment negative Dix-Hallpike test result was considered as a proof of vertigo resolution. RESULTS: Cure rates with Semont maneuver were significantly higher (94.2%) than those obtained with flunarizine (57.7%) and no treatment (36.4%) (P <.001). Within a 6-month follow-up, relapse rates were lower among patients treated with Semont maneuver (3.8%) than those obtained with flunarizine (5.8%) and no treatment (21.1%). All patients with resolution of symptoms and negative Dix-Hallpike test results showed a great improvement in daily activities and quality of life (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Semont liberatory maneuver is the most successful therapy for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and improves patients' quality of life. Diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers are easy to perform and should be part of the medical knowledge of every general practitioner and geriatrician.     

继发性后半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕的诊治

目的 探讨继发性良性阵发性位置性眩晕(BPPV)的诊断和治疗。方法研究继发性后半规管BPPV的内耳疾病6例病历资料,诊断依据为病史及Dix-Hallpike试验诱导出现的眼震结果。结果 6例内耳疾病(分别为突发性聋3例, 梅尼埃病2例, 前庭神经元炎1例)伴有后半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕被确诊,通过Dix-Hallpike试验诱发出垂直扭转型眼震。结论 继发性BPPV临床较少见,常为后半规管受累,通过Dix-Hallpike试验和Epley手法复位可以确诊和治愈。     

The particle repositioning maneouvre for benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo

Thirteen consecutive cases wherein Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo was diagnosed are retrospectively reviewed. The Dix-Hallpike positioning test was classically positive with a typical torsional, down beating, transient nystagmus in four of these thirteen cases. The diagnosis in the other nine was based on a suggestive history with or without subjective vertigo on the positioning test. Ten cases improved with labyrinthine suppressants and habituation exercises alone. This included all the patients wherein the Dix-Hallpike maneouvre did not elicit any nystagmus. However, in the group wherein the Dix-Hallpike maneouvre resulted in nystagmus, only one of the four improved and the particle repositioning maneouvre (PRM) was employed in the three cases with persistent symptoms. Two had immediate relief of symptoms. The particle repositioning maneouvre was repeated after three days in the one other patient and proved successful on this second occasion. Surgical treatment was not necessitated in any case, It is proposed that the particle repositioning maneouvre should be the preferred first-line treatment for any patient who on Dix-Hallpike testing demonstrates nystagmus typical of BPPV.     

上半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕的诊断及治疗

目的探讨上半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕（benign paroxysmal positional vertigo，BPPV）的诊断和治疗。方法回顾性分析了上半规管BPPV患者31例，并对所有患者采用管石复位法治疗后的效果进行评估。结果在Dix-Hallpike检查中，所有患者均诱发出垂直向下的眼震。22例（70．97％）患者一侧诱发出眼震，其中17例眼震伴有扭转成分，5例眼震不伴扭转成分。其余9例（29．03％）患者双侧诱发出现眼震，眼震伴有扭转成分的7例，其中2例眼震扭转方向指向同一侧，4例眼震的扭转方向不固定，1例患者仅一侧出现扭转成分。另外2例患者眼震不伴扭转成分。受累侧别明确诊断的19例（61．29％），其中11例为左侧上半规管受累，8例为右侧上半规管受累。受累侧别未明确诊断的12例（38．71％）。所有患者中，11例（35．48％）患者同时合并后半规管受累。对所有患者采取管石复位法治疗，21例（67．74％）痊愈，29例（93．55％）有效、2例（6．45％）无效。其中首次治愈14例（45．16％），平均治愈次数为1．71次。随访期间5例复发。结论上半规管BPPV临床中少见。在变位检查中，眼震的扭转成分较弱，临床中不易观察。在部分单侧上半规管BPPV患者中，双侧检查均能诱发眼震。管石复位法是治疗上半规管BPPV简单有效的手段。     

上半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕41例

目的 探讨上半规管良性阵发性位置性眩晕(BPPV)诊断和治疗的最佳方案。方法 回顾性分析41例上半规管BPPV患者的病历资料,并对所有患者的诊断及复位进行评估分析。结果 SRM-Ⅳ模拟Dix-Hallpike试验诱发出典型垂直向下眼震28例(68.3%),其中眼震伴有向地扭转的成分19例,不伴有扭转成分9例;SRM-Ⅳ上半规管BPPV诱发试验诱发出典型垂直向下眼震35例(84.6%),其中眼震伴有向地扭转的成分30例,不伴有扭转成分5例。在所有41例患者中有38例能通过两种诱发试验对受累侧别做出判断,其中因诱发眼震伴有扭转成分而判断侧别30例,单侧诱发诱发出垂直向下眼震且不伴有扭转成分3例,双侧诱发出垂直向下眼震5例,且不伴有扭转成分,但因眩晕及眼震的强度有明显差别而判断出侧别,患者对受累侧别不能判断3例。在能判断出侧别的38例患者中有左侧上半规管受累25例,右侧上半规管受累13例。对41例采用SRM-Ⅳ上半规管BPPV复位法进行治疗,通过一次治疗痊愈28例,有效12例,无效1例。结论 上半规管BPPV 临床上被越来越重视,应用SRM-ⅣBPPV诊疗系统对上半规管BPPV进行诊治效果好,应该在临床得到推广。     

Side-lying as an alternative to the Dix-Hallpike test of the posterior canal.

OBJECTIVE: Limitations in passive or active range of motion preclude testing some patients suspected of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior semicircular canal (BPPV) with the Dix-Hallpike maneuver. The goal of this study was to determine if an alternative test, brisk side-lying with the nose turned 45 degrees away from the tested side, yields the same results as the Dix-Hallpike maneuver. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, within-groups. SETTING: Diagnostic laboratory at a tertiary care center. PATIENTS: The 61 patients, seen before their physicians had determined their diagnoses, were all referred by their physicians for objective diagnostic tests. All subjects complained of vertigo elicited by up or down rotations of the head or turning over in bed, often provocative positions for BPPV. METHODS: Results from the Dix-Hallpike maneuver and side-lying maneuver were compared. Group 1 was tested with the Dix-Hallpike maneuver followed up by side-lying; Group 2 was tested in reverse order. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Slow-phase eye velocity of nystagmus. RESULTS: With the groups collapsed to eliminate possible order effects, no significant differences were found between the tests. Significantly more subjects had no response to testing than minimal or stronger responses. CONCLUSIONS: Side-lying is a valid alternative test to the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, which could be useful when range-of-motion limitations or other problems preclude use of the Dix-Hallpike maneuver.     

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo after stapedectomy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) following stapedectomy in a patient group and the efficacy of the Epley maneuver in this group. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study in a university-based tertiary referral system. METHODS: The patient group comprised 63 patients who had undergone stapedectomy; a control group consisted of normal healthy individuals with no otolaryngological complaints. All individuals underwent the Dix-Hallpike maneuver for the diagnosis of BPPV. Patients who exhibited vertigo, torsional nystagmus (which reverses its direction on return to sitting position) preceded by a latent period, and the fatigability of these findings were considered to have BPPV. If the test result was positive, they underwent the Epley therapeutic maneuver. RESULTS: Four of the patients who had undergone a stapedectomy showed characteristic findings of BPPV. No individual in the control group had BPPV. All patients responded well to the Epley maneuver. CONCLUSIONS: Stapedectomy may be regarded as an etiological factor in BPPV. Because the fenestra is located in the posterior part of the stapes footplate, the pathophysiology appears to be related to utricular rather than saccular trauma. Correct measurement of the distance between the incus and stapes footplate is essential in stapedectomy. An Internet survey of the relevant literature in English shows a scarcity of publications on the incidence of BPPV following stapedectomy. In the present study, 63 patients who had undergone a stapedectomy were investigated for the presence of BPPV; all had Dix-Hallpike maneuvers performed for the diagnosis. Sixty-three individuals with no otolaryngological complaints made up the control group. Four of the patients who had undergone stapedectomy showed characteristic findings of BPPV, and no individual in the control group had BPPV; the difference between the two groups was statistically significant. All four of the patients diagnosed with BPPV responded well to the Epley maneuver. The pathophysiology appears to be related to utricular trauma. Correct measurement of the distance between the incus and stapes footplate is essential in stapedectomy.