Granddaughter's somersault treats cupulolithiasis of the horizontal semicircular canal.

ABSTRACT

We report on a 61-year-old woman with cupulolithiasis of the right horizontal semicircular canal, which is usually difficult to treat. The patient reported that several years ago, similar symptoms relieved completely after having performed several somersaults together with her granddaughter. This time, repetitive somersaults were again effective to treat her benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Acceleration during a somersault may induce an intracanalicular force strong enough to detach otoconia debris from the cupula. Rolling may then promote their reentrance into the utricle. This case suggests that repetitive somersaults may be an alternative treatment of cupulolithiasis of the horizontal semicircular canal.