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Diagnostic Positional Tests and Therapeutic Maneuvers in the Management of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

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Abstract

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), the most common vestibular disorder characterized by recurrent, brief episodes of vertigo, is attributed to the presence of otoconia in the semicircular canals. Two mechanisms contribute to its cause-canalolithiasis (otoconia freely mobile in the semicircular canal) and cupulolithiasis (otoconia adherent to the cupula). Posterior semicircular canal is the most common canal involved. Although the occurrence of BPPV in lateral and superior semicircular canal is rare, with the advancement in diagnostic techniques, their incidence is being reported in the past few years. Various diagnostic tests and therapeutic maneuvers have been described in the management of BPPV. The present report is a comprehensive review of the tests and maneuvers for BPPV written as a guide intended to help the clinicians in the accurate diagnosis and application of a canal-specific treatment maneuver for BPPV. A simplified algorithmic approach (“The Bangalore BPPV Algorithm”) for the management of BPPV is described.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, 154/11 Bannerghatta Road, Opposite IIM, Bangalore, 560076, India

    Swathi Vadlamani

  2. Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, Karnataka, India

    Srinivas Dorasala

  3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Bangalore, India

    Sunil Narayan Dutt

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  1. Swathi Vadlamani
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Correspondence to Swathi Vadlamani.

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Vadlamani, S., Dorasala, S. & Dutt, S.N. Diagnostic Positional Tests and Therapeutic Maneuvers in the Management of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 74 (Suppl 1), 475–487 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-020-02292-z

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