Bilateral simultaneous presentation of posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

To outline the clinical picture of bilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

A total of 573 patients with posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo were classified as having unilateral, or true or pseudo bilateral, posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and were treated with the Epley manoeuvre. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Of the patients, 483 had unilateral and 90 (15.7 per cent) had bilateral presentation. Of the latter, 72 patients had pseudo bilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Comparisons of site of involvement, male to female ratio and the incidence of associated problems in unilateral, and true and pseudo bilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo did not reveal any statistically significant differences (p = 0.828, p = 0.200, p = 0.142). Comparisons of the number of manoeuvres required to provide symptom relief and the rate of recurrence were significant (p < 0.05).

Identification of true and pseudo bilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is important given the differences in aetiology and treatment outcome. Treatment of patients with true bilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo requires several therapeutic manoeuvre attempts, and patients should be warned about recurrence.