ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Otorinolaringologia 1999 December;49(4):163-7

Copyright © 2000 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Clinical features and therapeutic management of paroxysmal positional vertigo due to lateral canalithiasis

Ferri E., Armato E., D’Onofrio F., Janniello F.

ULSS 13 - Riviera del Brenta Presidio Ospedaliero di Dolo (VE) Unità Operativa Autonoma di Otorinolaringoiatria (Primario: Dott. F. Ianniello)

Background. Personal experience about clinical features and therapeutic management in 67 patients suffering from paroxysmal positional vertigo due to lateral canalithiasis is reported and the importance of a correct otovestibular study for a favourable treatment approach is emphasized.
Methods. The authors present their case-study covering audiovestibular out-patients treated in the last three years: 67 cases of lateral canalithiasis (47 “apogeotropic”, 20 “geotropic”). These patients account for 3 % of the 2150 patients complaining of balance and postural disorders observed during that period. Of these cases, 52 were treated with the Lempert manoeuver, 7 with the Gufoni manoeuver, 2 with the Vannucchi “forced position”, and 5 with the associate rehabilitative techniques.
Results. A favourable outcome was achieved in 60 cases (89%) and there was no result in 7 cases (11%), all treated with the Lempert manoeuver. In one case a spontaneous resolution was observed. After 6 months, 6 relapses of BPPV were diagnosed; 4 cases were secondary to posterior canalithiasis.
Conclusions. In the treatment approaches of BPPV from lateral canalithiasis, the correct otovestibular diagnosis and the use of different rehabilitative techniques are fundamental. As with the posterior canalolithiasis, also in the patients who suffered from lateral canalithiasis, recovery in almost all cases is possible.