Risk Factors for Treatment Failure in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Kim, Ji Hong; Jung, Eun Jung; Song, Chang Eun; Song, Mee Hyun; Park, Kye Chun; Ko, Kyung Min; Shim, Dae Bo

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Particular repositioning maneuver (PRM) have been recommended as a treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Some patients require multiple treatments for remission, although most of the patients are treated at the first trial of single maneuver. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors for the treatment failure in patients with posterior canal BPPV (p-BPPV) and horizontal canal BPPV (h-BPPV).
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Retrospective review was performed for the 287 patients diagnosed as BPPV visiting the dizziness clinic between February 2011 and August 2012. The diagnostic criteria for BPPV were met by following the guidelines provided by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Patients were classified into two groups: Group 1 (treatment success) that requires only 1 PRM and Group 2 (treatment failure) that requires more than 2 PRMs. We analyzed the relationship between treatment failure and the clinical characteristics, and studied the etiology of BPPV.
RESULTS
The study included 183 patients with p-BPPV, 54 patients with h-BPPV (geotropic type), and 50 patients with h-BPPV (apogeotropic type). The type of BPPV and average numbers of PRM required for remission were significantly related with treatment failure by statistical analysis (p<0.05, respectively). Statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between the history of ipsilateral inner ear viral infection (acute vestibular neuritis, sudden sensorineural hearing loss) and treatment failure (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Multiple PRMs may be required in patients with h-BPPV (apogeotropic type) or with secondary BPPV caused by ipsilateral inner ear viral disease. Clinically, this information may be used to provide helpful information for clinicians performing PRM to treat BPPV.