Traumatic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo caused by cannon fire

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vestibular vertigo, characterized by brief vertigo episodes triggered by head movements.
• While nearly 25% of BPPV cases have a traumatic origin, BPPV resulting from indirect trauma is rarely documented in English literature.

Observation:

• A 37-year-old woman experienced episodic vertigo upon changing position, commencing after exposure to cannon fire.
• A positive Hallpike maneuver confirmed the diagnosis of BPPV.

Findings:

• The patient's BPPV was successfully treated using the Epley maneuver, a type of canalith repositioning procedure.
• This case demonstrates that BPPV can be induced by indirect trauma, such as exposure to explosive blasts.

Implications:

• Diagnosis of BPPV relies on thorough patient history and physical examination.
• Traumatic BPPV, including cases from indirect trauma, is effectively managed with canalith repositioning procedures, similar to idiopathic BPPV.