Analysis of influencing factors of residual dizziness after repositioning of horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

BACKGROUND: Horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(HSC-BPPV) is the second most common type of BPPV. It is difficult to diagnose and treat, which has a serious impact on the prognosis of patients. OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical features of HSC-BPPV and the influencing factors of residual dizziness (RD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 358 patients with BPPV were retrospectively collected. The differences between HSC-BPPV and posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PSC-BPPV) were compared, and the influencing factors of RD after HSC-BPPV repositioning were analyzed. RESULTS: ① Compared with PSC-BPPV, HSC-BPPV had a lower success rate of first repositioning (64.7 vs. 75.0%), a higher incidence of RD (57.3 vs. 43.8%), and a higher DHI score (40.0 vs. 34.0), and the differences were statistically significant (p < .05). ② Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥60 years, secondary, DHI score, successful first repositioning were the influencing factors for the development of RD after HSC-BPPV repositioning (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The diagnosis and treatment of HSC-BPPV is difficult, and RD is prone to occur. Clinicians need to strengthen the training of HSC-BPPV diagnosis and treatment to reduce the occurrence and progression of RD.

Acupuncture for Residual Dizziness After Successful Repositioning Maneuvers in Patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: Study Protocol for a Randomized Noninferiority Trial.

Introduction: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo among adults. Successful treatment often requires an appropriate canalith repositioning procedure (CRP), which has proven effective in the treatment of BPPV. However, some patients experience residual dizziness (RD) after CRP, affecting their daily activities and quality of life. Although oral betahistine is a common clinical treatment for RD, some patients may discontinue this medication due to adverse effects. Conversely, acupuncture has demonstrated efficacy in treating dizziness with minimal adverse effects. However, to date, no trials have directly compared the efficacy of acupuncture and betahistine in treating RD. Our goal was to assess the noninferiority of acupuncture in treating RD compared with the commonly used oral betahistine treatment. Methods and Analysis: A randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial was conducted to compare the effectiveness of acupuncture and betahistine in patients with BPPV who experience RD after a successful CRP. Eighty-four participants were randomly assigned to two treatment groups, each receiving either acupuncture or betahistine. The assessors and statisticians were blinded to treatment allocation. The primary outcomes were the response rate and change in vertigo level, and secondary outcomes included Visual Analog Scores and the presence and change in depressive symptoms among patients. Scale measures were recorded at baseline, 2, 4, and 12 weeks after randomization. This trial aims to provide causal evidence supporting the non-inferiority of acupuncture therapy relative to oral betahistine, offering an alternative treatment avenue for patients intolerant to betahistine. Ethics and Dissemination: Ethics approval was obtained from the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with permission number 2023-095-KY. Written informed consent was obtained from the enrolled patients.

Corrigendum: Residual dizziness after BPPV management: exploring pathophysiology and treatment beyond canalith repositioning maneuvers.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1382196.].

Residual Dizziness Characteristics of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

INTRODUCTION: ISSNHL, a common clinical condition, can be accompanied by vertigo. Initially, research on sudden deafness primarily focused on the hearing loss itself, with less emphasis on episodic vertigo. However, as vertigo research has advanced, it has been recognized that BPPV is a frequent accompaniment to ISSNHL-associated vertigo. Even after treatment, some patients may experience residual dizziness. This study investigates the characteristics of patients with ISSNHL accompanied by BPPV and the impact of residual dizziness on their lives. METHODS: This study is being conducted on patients with ISSNHL accompanied by BPPV, analyzing the characteristics of such patients and the impact of residual dizziness on their lives. Overall, 54 adult inpatients with ISSNHL and BPPV were included in this study. All patients received 50 mg of intravenous prednisolone for 5 consecutive days and hemodilution agents for 10 days. At the same time, BPPV was treated with repositioning by the same therapist using the SRM-IV vertigo diagnostic and treatment system, and different repositioning methods were used for different types of otolithiasis. Patients were grouped according to the absence of residual dizziness when the nystagmus disappeared at the time of discharge. RESULTS: There were 24 cases in the group with residual symptoms, including 10 males and 14 females. The proportion of females was 58.33%, with an average age of 46.75 ± 13.80. The group without residual symptoms consisted of 30 cases, including 13 males and 17 females. The female proportion was 56.67%, with an average age of 45.77 ± 11.86. There is no statistical significance between the two groups in the pre-treatment hearing status and DHI scores. The HAMA (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) scores before treatment were compared, revealing a significant statistical difference. CONCLUSION: ISSNHL-associated BPPV may be caused by vascular embolism or thrombosis in the cochlear or spiral modiolar artery. This disrupts blood flow, leading to ischemia in the otolithic membrane and subsequent detachment of otoconia. Because this detachment often occurs within 24 h of the initial event, patients experience positional vertigo early in the course of the disease.

Residual dizziness after BPPV management: exploring pathophysiology and treatment beyond canalith repositioning maneuvers.

Despite the high success rate of canalith repositioning maneuvers (CRMs) in the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a growing number of patients report residual dizziness symptoms that may last for a significant time. Although the majority of BPPV cases can be explained by canalolithiasis, the etiology is complex. Consideration of the individual patient's history and underlying pathophysiology of BPPV may offer the potential for treatment approaches supplementary to CRMs, as well as a promising alternative for patients in whom CRMs are contraindicated. This article provides a summary of the possible underlying causes of BPPV and residual dizziness, along with suggestions for potential management options that may be considered to relieve the burden of residual symptoms.

Otolithic functions in patients with residual dizziness after successful repositioning manoeuvres for unilateral posterior canal BPPV.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate otolithic functions in patients with residual dizziness after successful canalith repositioning procedures (CRPs) for unilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and to investigate possible risk factors. METHODS: This case-control observational study included healthy controls and patients with residual dizziness after improvement following CRP for BPPV. All participants were subjected to full history taking, otoscopy, audiological basic evaluation, Dix-Hallpike test to search for posterior canal BPPV, residual dizziness screening, and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing. Between-group differences were assessed and possible factors associated with residual dizziness were identified by univariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients with residual dizziness (mean age, 56.53 ± 7.46 years [29 female: 21 male]) and 50 healthy controls (mean age, 58.13 ± 7.57 years [20 female: 30 male]) were included. A significant difference in VEMP latencies was found between the patient and control group (delayed in the patient group), with no significant between-group difference in amplitude in both ears. Aging, female sex, long duration of BPPV, number of CRPs, cervical VEMP and ocular VEMP abnormalities, and winter onset, were significantly associated with the risk of residual dizziness. CONCLUSIONS: Residual dizziness is a frequent sequel of BPPV that may relate to otolithic dysfunction. VEMP changes were revealed in the form of delayed latencies.

Increased functional connectivity between default mode network and visual network potentially correlates with duration of residual dizziness in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Objective: To assess changes in static and dynamic functional network connectivity (sFNC and dFNC) and explore their correlations with clinical features in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) patients with residual dizziness (RD) after successful canalith repositioning maneuvers (CRM) using resting-state fMRI. Methods: We studied resting-state fMRI data from 39 BPPV patients with RD compared to 38 BPPV patients without RD after successful CRM. Independent component analysis and methods of sliding window and k-means clustering were adopted to investigate the changes in dFNC and sFNC between the two groups. Additionally, temporal features and meta-states were compared between the two groups. Furthermore, the associations between fMRI results and clinical characteristics were analyzed using Pearson's partial correlation analysis. Results: Compared with BPPV patients without RD, patients with RD had longer duration of BPPV and higher scores of dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) before successful CRM. BPPV patients with RD displayed no obvious abnormal sFNC compared to patients without RD. In the dFNC analysis, patients with RD showed increased FNC between default mode network (DMN) and visual network (VN) in state 4, the FNC between DMN and VN was positively correlated with the duration of RD. Furthermore, we found increased mean dwell time (MDT) and fractional windows (FW) in state 1 but decreased MDT and FW in state 3 in BPPV patients with RD. The FW of state 1 was positively correlated with DHI score before CRM, the MDT and FW of state 3 were negatively correlated with the duration of BPPV before CRM in patients with RD. Additionally, compared with patients without RD, patients with RD showed decreased number of states and state span. Conclusion: The occurrence of RD might be associated with increased FNC between DMN and VN, and the increased FNC between DMN and VN might potentially correlate with the duration of RD symptoms. In addition, we found BPPV patients with RD showed altered global meta-states and temporal features. These findings are helpful for us to better understand the underlying neural mechanisms of RD and potentially contribute to intervention development for BPPV patients with RD.

Altered parietal operculum cortex 2 functional connectivity in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo patients with residual dizziness: A resting-state fMRI study.

AIMS: To investigate changes in functional connectivity (FC) focusing on parietal operculum cortex 2 (OP2) in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) patients with residual dizziness (RD) after successful canalith repositioning procedure (CRP). METHODS: High-resolution three-dimensional T1 and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were performed on 55 healthy controls (HCs), 55 BPPV patients with RD, and 55 patients without RD after successful CRP. Seed-based (bilateral OP2) FC was calculated to investigate the changes in FC among the three groups. Additionally, we further explored the associations between abnormal FC and clinical symptoms. RESULTS: One-way analysis of covariance showed significant FC differences among the three groups. Post-hoc analysis showed that patients with RD exhibited decreased FC between left OP2 and regions of left angular gyrus (AG), thalamus, precuneus, middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and right cerebellum posterior lobe (CPL) in comparison with HCs. In addition, compared with patients without RD, patients with RD showed decreased FC between left OP2 and regions of left MFG, AG, middle temporal gyrus, and right CPL. Moreover, in patients with RD, the FC between left thalamus and OP2 was negatively correlated with duration of RD, and the FC between left AG and OP2 was negatively correlated with duration of BPPV. CONCLUSION: BPPV patients with RD showed reduced FC between brain regions involved in vestibular processing and spatial cognition; These results suggested that BPPV patients with RD might have diminished central processing of vestibular information and impaired spatial cognition.

Clinical Efficacy and Metabolomics Modifications Induced by Polyphenol Compound Supplementation in the Treatment of Residual Dizziness following Semont Maneuver in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) of the Posterior Semicircular Canal (PSC): Preliminary Results.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) represents the most frequent cause of peripheral vertigo. In most cases, it is successfully treated using the canalith repositioning procedure, but it is often followed by continuous lightheadedness in the absence of vertigo or nystagmus (residual dizziness, RD). Our aim is to describe the clinical effectiveness and the urine metabolomics profile of treating these patients with polyphenol compound supplementation. We enrolled 30 patients reporting RD after BPPV of the posterior semicircular canal (PSC) successfully treated using the Semont maneuver. Supplementation with a polyphenol compound was administered for 60 days, and patients were evaluated after 30 and 60 days of treatment using self-administered questionnaires (Visual Analog Scales for Dizziness and Nausea, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, DHI) and urine metabolomics analysis performed using 1H-NMR spectroscopy and multivariate followed by univariate analysis. Most patients reported excellent or good efficacy in the treatment of RD with a significant decrease in VAS and DHI values. The metabolomics analysis identified six significant metabolites related to the treatment, namely 1-methylnicotinamide, anserine, hippurate, lysine, methyl succinate and urea, indicating the inflammatory activities and antioxidant properties of the polyphenol compound. These preliminary data suggest that supplementation with a polyphenol compound could induce some metabolic changes that can help in recovery from RD. However, future steps will require confirmation with a more significant cohort of patients and an extension of the metabolomics evaluation to other problems concerning the different clinical aspects of BPPV, such as the high rate of relapse.

[Study on the influence of Barbecure combined with Epley on residual dizziness of horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo by SRM-vertigo diagnosis system].

Objective:To investigate the influence of Barbecure combined with Epley on residual dizziness of horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo（HC-BPPV） by SRM-vertigo diagnosis system. Methods:A total of 406 patients diagnosed with HC-BPPV from Nov 2021 to Nov 2022 were enrolled by rapid axial roll test and Dix-Hallpike in the department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University. The patients were divided into two groups by hospital card numbers, in which the numbers that were odd were considered as group A, and the numbers that were even were considered as group B. The group A underwent two circles of Barbecure repositioning procedure by SRM-vertigo diagnosis system, while the group B underwent two circles Barbecure combined with Epley repositioning procedure by SRM-vertigo diagnosis system. The treatment was stopped on the next day when two groups of patients were cured, and those who were not cured will continue treatment with the same method. Results:The cure rate of group A was 83.41%, and the cure rate of group B was 80.51%, the difference between the two groups was not-statistically significant difference（P>0.05）. The rate of residual dizziness of group A was 23.30%, the rate of residual dizziness of group B was 11.46%, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant（P<0.05）. Conclusion:The Barbecure combined with Epley otoliths repositioning maneuver by SRM-vertigo diagnosis system can significantly reduce the rate of residual dizziness after the treatment of HC-BPPV, and improve the quality of life of patients.

Altered functional activity of the precuneus and superior temporal gyrus in patients with residual dizziness caused by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Objective: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common clinical vertigo disease, and the most effective treatment for this disease is canal repositioning procedures (CRP). Most patients return to normal after a single treatment. However, some patients still experience residual dizziness (RD) after treatment, and this disease's pathogenesis is currently unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore whether there are abnormal brain functional activities in patients with RD by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and to provide imaging evidence for the study of the pathogenesis of RD. Materials and methods: The BPPV patients in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University had been included from December 2021 to November 2022. All patients had been received the collection of demographic and clinical characteristics (age, gender, involved semicircular canal, affected side, CRP times, BPPV course, duration of RD symptoms, and whether they had hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease.), scale assessment, including Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Hamilton Anxiety Inventory (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Inventory (HAMD), rs-fMRI data collection, CRP treatment, and then a one-month follow-up. According to the follow-up results, 18 patients with RD were included. At the same time, we selected 19 healthy individuals from our hospital's physical examination center who matched their age, gender as health controls (HC). First, the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) analysis method was used to compare the local functional activities of the two groups of subjects. Then, the brain regions with different ALFF results were extracted as seed points. Functional connectivity (FC) analysis method based on seed points was used to explore the whole brain FC of patients with RD. Finally, a correlation analysis between clinical features and rs-fMRI data was performed. Results: Compared to the HC, patients with RD showed lower ALFF value in the right precuneus and higher ALFF value in the right superior temporal gyrus (STG). When using the right STG as a seed point, it was found that the FC between the right STG, the right supramarginal gyrus (SMG), and the left precuneus was decreased in RD patients. However, no significant abnormalities in the FC were observed when using the right precuneus as a seed point. Conclusion: In patients with RD, the local functional activity of the right precuneus is weakened, and the local functional activity of the right STG is enhanced. Furthermore, the FC between the right STG, the right SMG, and the left precuneus is weakened. These changes may explain the symptoms of dizziness, floating sensation, walking instability, neck tightness, and other symptoms in patients with RD to a certain extent.

Associations between cognition, anxiety, depression, and residual dizziness in elderly people with BPPV.

Objective: To investigate the associations between cognition, anxiety, depression, and residual dizziness after successful repositioning maneuvers in the elderly with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Methods: We enrolled 40 elderly patients with BPPV in our outpatient department. We used the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7 (GAD-7) to assess the degree of dizziness, anxiety, and depression of participants before repositioning therapy, respectively. At the 1-week follow-up after BPPV treatment, each participant will be reassessed and divided into a group with residual dizziness (RD) and a group without residual dizziness (NRD) based on the follow-up DHI score. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) evaluated the cognitive function of the participants. Results: The age, gender, duration of BPPV, and involved semicircular canals in the two groups did not show a significant difference. The RD group scored significantly higher on the DHI (p = 0.006), GAD-7 (p < 0.001), and PHQ-9 (p = 0.002) before the repositioning treatment than the NRD group. The two groups had no significant difference in MMSE score (p = 0.381). Anxiety and depression scores before repositioning treatment significantly and positively correlated with follow-up DHI scores (r = 0.678 and 0.522, respectively), but the MMSE score did not significantly relate to it. The univariate linear regression showed that the DHI (p < 0.001), GAD-7 (p < 0.001), and PHQ-9 (p = 0.002) scores before treatment could predict residual dizziness. The multivariate linear regression showed that GAD-7 before treatment was the only significant predictor of residual dizziness (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The level of dizziness, anxiety, and depression before treatment can predict residual dizziness after successful repositioning maneuvers in the elderly with BPPV. Anxiety may be the strongest predictor of residual dizziness after successful repositioning treatment in elderly BPPV patients.

Mechanical rotational chair-assisted multiple canalith repositioning procedures for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: enhanced vertigo relief, comparable adverse effects, and decreased incidence of residual dizziness.

Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to assess the effectiveness and adverse effects of mechanical rotational chair-assisted multiple canalith repositioning procedures (CRPs) to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 1,273 BPPV patients was conducted, with 241 patients included in the final study. The participants diagnosed with BPPV, unresolved by a single previous CRP, were categorized into either the single or multiple CRP groups. In both groups, on days 1, 4, and 7 after the initial treatment, the participants were re-evaluated after a single CRP; if positional vertigo was resolved, the treatment was regarded as successful. The remission rate, adverse effects (such as canal switch (CS), falls, and vomiting), residual dizziness (RD) rate, and RD duration were compared between the two groups. Results: The resolution rates for the single and multiple CRP groups were significantly different on days 1 and 4 (55.7% vs. 85.1%, 75.5% vs. 91.9%; P < 0.05) but not on day 7 (93.3% vs. 94.8%; P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between the single and multiple CRP groups in terms of CS and falls (3.8% vs. 5.2%, 10.3% vs. 8.9%; P > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in the incidence of vomiting (6.6% vs. 14.8%; P < 0.05). RD such as head heaviness, imbalance, and non-specific dizziness is more common in the single CRP group than in the multiple CRP group (34.9% vs. 20.7%, 42.5% vs. 26.7%, 47.2% vs. 32.6%; P < 0.05). The incidence and duration of RD were notably diminished in the group undergoing multiple CRPs compared to the single CRP group, with incidence rates of 41.5% and 57.5%, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusion: For patients with BPPV, multiple CRPs offer greater benefits than a single CRP.

Effect of the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level on risk for short-term residual dizziness after successful repositioning in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo stratified by sex and onset age.

Objective: A low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level is relevant to both the occurrence and recurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). However, whether it also contributes to residual dizziness (RD) after successful repositioning maneuvers is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the correlation between the serum 25(OH)D level and short-term RD severity in patients with BPPV after successful repositioning maneuvers. Methods: In total, 251 patients with BPPV after successful repositioning were enrolled and prospectively followed up for 1 week (W1). Serum 25(OH)D values were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay at enrollment (W0). In addition, we explored the relationship between 25(OH)D values at baseline and RD severity at W1 in different subgroups stratified by sex and onset age (early-onset, ≤50 years; late-onset, >50 years). Results: The serum 25(OH)D level of female patients was significantly lower than that of male patients (15.9 ± 6.8 vs. 19.8 ± 6.6 ng/ml, p < 0.001). Its level also decreased in early-onset patients compared to late-onset ones (15.3 ± 5.9 vs. 18.0 ± 7.3 ng/ml, p = 0.003). In addition, early-onset female patients had lower 25(OH)D values than late-onset female patients (14.0 ± 5.5 vs. 17.1 ± 7.2 ng/ml, p = 0.004). However, this difference was not observed between early- and late-onset male patients. Among early-onset female patients, the 25(OH)D values of the moderate-to-severe RD group were lower than those of the minor or no RD group (10.9 ± 3.3 vs. 14.7 ± 5.7 vs. 15.0 ± 5.9 ng/ml, p = 0.046). Multivariate analysis found that decreased 25(OH)D values were related to the occurrence of moderate-to-severe RD in early-onset female patients (OR = 0.801; p = 0.022). This effect did not exist in late-onset female or male patients with BPPV. Conclusions: Age and sex differences in serum 25(OH)D levels exist in patients with BPPV. A decreased 25(OH)D level in early-onset female patients may increase the odds of moderate-to-severe RD 1 week after successful repositioning maneuvers.

The use and effectiveness of the TRV Chair - a literature review.

<b><br>Introduction:</b> Vertigo is a subjective sensation of swaying, tilting, spinning, instability, or being off-balance [1]. The concept of vertigo is not a precise term due to the possibility of its being related to numerous variable, frequently co-occurring sensations as experienced by the patient. For this reason, diagnosing the origin of vertigo quite frequently poses a serious dilemma for physicians. Dizziness can be of peripheral or central origin. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo and is currently considered to account for about 14-42% of all cases of vertigo, depending on the authors [2-4]. However, this figure may be underestimated due to frequent misdiagnoses.</br> <b><br>Aim:</b> The aim of this paper is to review the currently available international literature on the use of the TRV chair so as to assess its usefulness and effectiveness in the diagnostics and possibly subsequent treatment of BPPV and its components.</br> <b><br>Materials and methods:</b> Included in this literature review are peer-reviewed papers authored by various research teams as available in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases.</br> <b><br>Results:</b> The TRV chair is helpful in precise diagnosis and subsequent treatment of BPPV subtypes (canalithiasis and cupulolithiasis) as well as in the evaluation of the number of affected canals, as shown in the papers analyzed in this review.</br> <b><br>Conclusions:</b> The use of TRV in the context of diagnosis and therapy of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo presents with potential for the improvement of diagnostic results, management protocols, and patients' quality of lives.</br>.

Elevated red cell distribution width predicts residual dizziness in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Objective: The present study aimed to determine whether residual dizziness (RD) after successful repositioning treatment in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) patients could be predicted by red blood cell distribution width (RDW). Materials and methods: In this study, a total of 303 BBPV patients hospitalized at the neurology department were investigated. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups after successful repositioning treatment: non-RD group included patients who were completely cured, and RD group included patients with RD. We collected data on all subjects, including general information, blood routine examination, blood biochemical examination, and magnetic resonance imaging tests. Results: The mean RDW values of patients in the RD group were significantly higher than that in the non-RD group (13.63 ± 1.8 vs. 12.5 ± 0.8; p < 0.001). In subsequent multivariate analysis, elevated RDW levels were a statistically significant risk factor associated with the occurrence of RD [odds ratio = 2.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.88-3.64, p < 0.001]. The area under the ROC curve was 0.723 in terms of its predictive ability to distinguish patients with RD. A cut-off point of 12.95% of RDW predicted RD with a sensitivity of 75.6% and a specificity of 69.5%. Moreover, the AUC for the ability of the RDW to predict recurrence were 0.692 (95% CI = 0.561-0.831; p < 0.014). Conclusions: Elevated RDW level was related to increased risk of RD among BPPV patients, requiring further efforts to clarify the actual underlying pathophysiology.

"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.

The influence of cerebral small vessel diseases on the efficacy of repositioning therapy and prognosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Background: Although vascular risk factors have been found to be closely related to the development of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the relationship between BPPV and cerebral small vessels diseases (CSVDs) has rarely been discussed in literature. This study set out to investigate the efficacy of repositioning therapy and prognosis among BPPV patients with CSVDs. Methods: We enrolled 553 BPPV patients who had undergone brain MRI, and categorized them into two groups based on the presence or absence of CSVDs. After controlling for other confounders using a propensity score matching (PSM) approach, we compared the incidence of recurrence and residual dizziness (RD). Then, we analyzed the recurrence rate and RD incidence in 176 BPPV patients with CSVDs, and assessed potential risk factors. Results: White matter hyperintensity (WMH, 72.2%) and lacunar infarction (LI, 65.9%) were the two CSVDs that were present in the highest proportion among the BPPV patients. The incidence of RD in patients with CSVDs was significantly higher compared to subjects without CSVDs. Patients with RD (n=100, 56.8%) were older, had more severe WMH, and had a higher incidence of brain atrophy; age and higher Fazekas score were independent risk factors. Among the recurrent patients (n=61, 34.7%), the ages were older, the Fazekas score of WMH was higher, and number of LIs was increased; age was the sole independent risk factor. Conclusion: BPPV patients with a combination of CSVD comorbidities, especially elderly patients with WMHs, are more likely to develop RD, which needs to be paid more attention.

Assessment of sensory organization testing in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo patients before and after repositioning manoeuvre.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo is considered the most common disorder of the peripheral vestibular system. After successful physical manoeuvres for BPPV, a number of patients complain of non-positional sustained imbalance of variable duration called residual dizziness lasting for several days. The objective of this study was to compare the posturographic changes before and one week after successful repositioning manoeuvres in patients with idiopathic BPPV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a case-control study, where the first group was composed of 20 patients with confirmed BPPV diagnosis regardless of the affected canal or pathology. Twenty age and gender matched normal subjects constituted the control group. The sensory organization test was performed before and one week after a repositioning manoeuvre in BPPV patients. RESULTS: All 20 BPPV patients, except 6 who had no significant improvement of symptoms even after disappearance of classic vertigo and nystagmus, had substantial improvement in sensory scores after CRPs in the antero-posterior visual and vestibular scores and the medio-lateral visual and global scores. All antero-posterior and medio-lateral scores before and after CRPs, except for the AP preferential score, were considerably poorer in BPPV patients than healthy subjects. The 6 patients, who showed no improvement after CRPs, presented with a history of non-specific symptoms i.e., light-headedness or sense of floating. CONCLUSIONS: Sensory organization test might have a role in the assessment of residual dizziness in patients with BPPV after CRPs.

Low 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels Are Associated With Residual Dizziness After Successful Treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Objective: Vitamin D (Vit D) regulates calcium and phosphate metabolism and helps to maintain otolith organ function. Residual dizziness (RD) is one of the most common complications after the successful treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Various theories have been suggested to explain the cause of RD, and otolith organ disorder is the most evident cause of RD. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum levels of Vit D and the occurrence of RD after the successful treatment of BPPV. Methods: A prospective study including patients who were diagnosed with de novo posterior semicircular canal-type BPPV (PC-BPPV) was conducted at our institution from May 2017 to May 2019. All the patients underwent canalith repositioning procedures and were followed up. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and RD occurrence after successful BPPV treatment. Results: In total, 123 patients with PC-BPPV were enrolled, and 41.5% (51/123) experienced RD. The serum level of 25(OH)D was significantly lower in PC-BPPV patients with RD [median 16.2 ng/ml (IQR 12.9-22.1)] than in patients without RD [median 20.5 ng/ml (IQR 16.5-26.5)] (P = 0.001). In multivariate models comparing the prevalence of RD in the insufficient group [25(OH)D ≥ 20 to <30 ng/ml], deficient group [25(OH)D < 20 ng/ml] and normal group [25(OH)D ≥ 30 ng/ml], the 25(OH)D levels in the deficient group were associated with the occurrence of RD (odds ratio = 5.48, 95% confidence interval = 1.08-27.71; P = 0.04). Conclusion: Low 25(OH)D levels are associated with the development of RD in patients with PC-BPPV after successful treatment. Further efforts to validate and elucidate the mechanism are needed.