Analysis of 30 patients with cupulolithiasis of the posterior semicircular canal

Background The diagnostic characteristics of patients with cupulolithiasis of the posterior semicircular canal are persistent torsional nystagmus in the supine position and persistent torsional nystagmus (opposite direction) in the nose-down position, which are caused by the affected canal becoming gravity sensitive. Objective To investigate the clinical features of posterior cupulolithiasis. Materials and methods We interviewed 30 consecutive patients with cupulolithiasis of the posterior canal and categorized them by onset time into the following four groups: (1) during sleep; (2) at the time of awakening; (3) morning; and (4) afternoon. We defined disease duration as the period from onset to the day when we detected remission of positional nystagmus. Results Time of awakening was the most common onset time. The mean disease duration was 18.2 days, and 90% of patients achieved cure within 1 month. Conclusions Physicians should take into account the duration of nystagmus, because cupulolithiasis of posterior canal exists. The etiology of posterior cupulolithiasis is closely related to sleep, because time of awakening is the most common onset time of vertigo. Most patients with posterior cupulolithiasis cure within 1 month.