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Published on: August 30, 2019
Relationship between the affected ear in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and habitual head-lying side during
B O Cakir1, I Ercan, Z A Cakir
11st Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sisli Etfal Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. burak_cakir@hotmail.com
Objective:
To assess the association between the habitual head position during bedrest and the affected ear in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
Study Design:
Prospective trial of patients with active BPPV of the posterior semicircular canal, confirmed on physical examination.
Methods:
Seventy-five patients were asked to explain the head position and lying side they were accustomed to before falling asleep in bed.
Results:
Fifty patients (67 per cent) habitually adopted a lateral head position during bedrest. The ear affected by BPPV was found to be consistent with the head-lying side during bedrest in 43 cases (86 per cent) (29 cases for the right ear and 14 cases for the left ear).
Conclusion:
Habitual lateral head-positioning during bedrest can be a major factor leading to the development of BPPV in the ipsilateral ear.
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