Management of bilateral benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

OBJECTIVE: To describe a series of patients with bilateral benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BiBPPV), with respect to demographics, management, and outcome. METHODS: All patients who were identified and treated for BiBPPV in a previous 36-month period with a minimal follow-up period of 6 months were included. Patients were treated with Epley's maneuver (EM) on the side that was more symptomatic and that had greater velocity and amplitude of tortional nystagmus. Patients were re-treated according to symptoms and findings on follow-up Visits. RESULTS: Ten patients were identified with BiBPPV. Most patients complained of nonlocalized positional vertigo and unsteadiness. Four were males and 6 were females, and the mean age was 54 years. There was a positive history of recent head trauma in 4 of the patients. All patients recovered after performing a mean of 2.6 EMs during a 3-month period. One patient experienced unilateral recurrence and was re-treated successfully. CONCLUSION: BiBPPV has typical characteristics and can be managed successfully with EM, performed on the more symptomatic side, followed by repeated treatments its needed. EBM RATING: C. (C) 2005 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. Inc. All rights reserved.