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Published on: August 30, 2019
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: concomitant involvement of different semicircular canals
Andreza Tomaz1, Maurício Malavasi Ganança, Cristina Freitas Ganança
1Department of Human Communication Disorders, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology
|March 31, 2009
Summary
Multiple semicircular canal involvement in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is rare, typically affecting the same side. Posterior and lateral canal involvement is most common, unlike anterior canal presentations.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurology
- Vestibular Science
Background:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common vestibular disorder.
- Understanding the involvement patterns of the semicircular canals is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
- Simultaneous involvement of multiple semicircular canals in BPPV is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the frequency and patterns of simultaneous ipsilateral or contralateral involvement of posterior, lateral, and anterior semicircular canals in BPPV patients.
- To identify risk factors and specific canal combinations associated with multiple-canal BPPV.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 2345 patient files diagnosed with BPPV.
- Categorization of BPPV cases based on the number of affected semicircular canals (single vs. multiple).
- Detailed examination of canal combinations (posterior, lateral, anterior) and their laterality (ipsilateral/contralateral) in multiple-canal BPPV.
Main Results:
- Single-canal BPPV accounted for 98.5% of cases.
- Multiple-canal BPPV occurred in 1.5% of cases (35 patients).
- Posterior and lateral canal involvement (same or opposite sides) was the most frequent multiple-canal presentation (91.4%).
Conclusions:
- Multiple-canal BPPV is a rare condition, predominantly involving the posterior and lateral canals on the same side.
- Trauma is identified as a risk factor for multiple-canal BPPV.
- Cupulolithiasis was not found to be a contributing factor in multiple-canal BPPV cases.
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