[Association between endolymphatic hydrops and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: coincidence or causality?]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurology
• Vestibular Disorders

Context:

• Endolymphatic hydrops (EH), commonly known as Ménière's disease, is a complex inner ear disorder.
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a frequent cause of vertigo.
• The co-occurrence of EH and BPPV requires further investigation regarding its impact on patient outcomes.

Purpose:

• To determine the prevalence of BPPV in patients diagnosed with EH.
• To analyze if the association between BPPV and EH influences treatment prognosis.
• To evaluate the efficacy of repositioning maneuvers in patients with coexisting EH and BPPV.

Summary:

• A retrospective study identified BPPV in 5.1% of patients with EH.
• Repositioning maneuvers achieved a 90.9% cure rate for BPPV in EH patients.
• However, the initial maneuver's success rate was significantly lower (63.36%) in EH patients compared to those without EH (P=0.042).

Impact:

• The findings suggest that while BPPV is treatable in EH patients, the initial therapeutic approach may need adjustment.
• This study highlights a statistically significant difference in the success of the first repositioning maneuver, impacting treatment protocols.
• Understanding this association is crucial for optimizing management strategies and improving patient prognoses in vestibular disorders.