Pseudo-Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Retrospective Study and Case Report.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Otolaryngology
• Vestibular Disorders

Background:

• Pseudo-benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (pseudo-BPPV) is a challenging diagnosis, often mistaken for classic BPPV.
• Misdiagnosis of pseudo-BPPV leads to suboptimal treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key diagnostic features of pseudo-BPPV.
• To evaluate effective treatment strategies for pseudo-BPPV.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 25 pseudo-BPPV cases.
• Identification of clinical characteristics differentiating pseudo-BPPV from BPPV.

Main Results:

• Pseudo-BPPV is characterized by recurrent positional vertigo, migraine symptoms or history, mild headaches, and variable vestibular function.
• Simple repositioning maneuvers are ineffective for pseudo-BPPV.
• Valproic acid combined with canalith repositioning showed preferable vertigo control.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing specific features is crucial for accurate pseudo-BPPV diagnosis.
• A combination therapy of valproic acid and canalith repositioning offers an effective treatment approach for pseudo-BPPV.