Improvement in Functional Outcomes in Patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

This case report describes outcomes of three cases with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) who presented with an inability to state the symptoms of BPPV. The diagnosis is driven by patient-reported symptoms during positional testing or movement changes. People with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can have BPPV but report no symptoms of spinning (vestibular agnosia). The case report demonstrates that functional improvements are made in patients with vestibular agnosia. All cases were seen in an inpatient rehabilitation unit. Case 1 presented with a bilateral TBI with a daily Agitated Behavior Scale score of 41/56. She had right posterior canal BPPV yet reported no symptoms. Upon the completion of BPPV treatment, her daily Agitated Behavior Scale score decreased to 23/56. Case 2 had a multicompartment hemorrhage, with a Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) score of 11/30 before positional testing. He had right torsional upbeating nystagmus on the right Dix-Hallpike test, yet he reported no symptoms during the maneuver. After repositioning (same treatment session), his FGA improved to 19/30. Case 3 presented with a left subdural hematoma. He had left posterior canal BPPV with no symptoms during the Dix-Hallpike test. His FGA before testing was 19/30; immediately after the repositioning maneuver, his FGA was 24/30. Cases 2 and 3 met the minimally clinically important difference for the FGA of four points in the same session. People post-TBI with vestibular agnosia should be quickly treated as the canalith repositioning maneuver may reduce agitation and improve gait.