Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo following diagnostic transcranial magnetic stimulation

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most frequent cause of recurrent vertigo and according to the canalo- and cupulolithiasis theory it is caused by detached otoconia which accumulate in the semicircular canals. However, the mechanisms leading to detachment of otoconia from the matrix are still poorly understood. Head trauma, inner ear diseases, advanced age, migraine and bed rest are known predisposing factors. We report a case of a healthy 44-year-old female, who developed left sided benign paroxysmal positional vertigo 10 hours following standard bilateral diagnostic transcranial magnetic stimulation. As our patient did not innate any established predisposing factor and has a relatively young age, we conclude that diagnostic transcranial magnetic stimulation to elicit motor evoked potentials might be an iatrogenic cause of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.