Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in children.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Neurology
• Vestibular Disorders

Background:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of vertigo, typically affecting adults.
• The clinical presentation and management of BPPV in children are less well-documented compared to adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical features of BPPV in pediatric patients.
• To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy of particle repositioning maneuvers for childhood BPPV.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study evaluating six children diagnosed with BPPV between March 2014 and March 2015.
• Diagnosis was confirmed using the Dix-Hallpike and supine roll tests.
• Treatment involved modified Epley, Lempert, or Gufoni particle repositioning procedures, with follow-up at 1-week intervals.

Main Results:

• Four children had posterior canal BPPV, and two had horizontal canal BPPV.
• Potential contributing factors included head trauma (1), family history of vertigo (1), and hearing loss (1).
• 83.33% of children experienced complete vertigo relief after one treatment session, with the remaining child symptom-free after two sessions. No relapses were reported during follow-up (10-22 months).

Conclusions:

• BPPV in children can be accurately diagnosed through detailed medical history and positional testing.
• Particle repositioning maneuvers are effective and successful treatments for pediatric BPPV, leading to rapid symptom resolution and no reported relapses.