Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo during lateral window sinus lift procedure: a case report and review

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a possible and well-documented complication after the osteotome internal sinus lift technique. But we report a case of unexpected BPPV complication after direct sinus lift by lateral approach for implant placement that was not reported till date.

A 30-year-old woman had undergone direct sinus lift procedure by lateral window technique to replace her missing right molar with dental implant. The patient suffered with intense vertigo with nausea, vomiting, and aggravated when she changed the position of her head towards right immediately after procedure and was diagnosed with BPPV after the referral.

We assume that prolonged hyperextended head position of iatrogenic origin can be the reason, in this case, for BPPV after direct lateral sinus lift procedure. There is also a possibility that the temporal relationship with the surgical area and surgical action by rotating tools during window preparation are also contributing factors.