Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: The Case for Renaming It Peripheral Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Otolaryngology
• Vestibular System Disorders

Background:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common vestibular disorder.
• The term "benign" is increasingly recognized as inaccurate due to patient-reported adverse effects.
• Current nomenclature omits the key "peripheral" localization of the disorder.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide justification for revising the terminology of BPPV.
• To advocate for a more accurate and descriptive name for this prevalent condition.
• To propose "peripheral paroxysmal positional vertigo" (PPPV) as a replacement term.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and critical analysis of existing terminology.
• Evaluation of patient experiences and clinical impact of BPPV.
• Linguistic and etymological assessment of the term "benign" in a medical context.

Main Results:

• The descriptor "benign" is a misnomer, as BPPV significantly impacts patient quality of life.
• The omission of "peripheral" in BPPV fails to specify the anatomical origin of the condition.
• Evidence supports the need for a nomenclature change to enhance clinical understanding and communication.

Conclusions:

• The current terminology for BPPV is misleading and requires revision.
• Renaming BPPV to peripheral paroxysmal positional vertigo (PPPV) offers greater accuracy.
• Adopting PPPV will improve clarity regarding the disorder's nature and origin.