[Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Apropos of 51 cases]

51 cases of benign paroxysmal vertigo have been investigated in 3 years. The findings put in evidence: the particular frequency of this pathology (18% of BPPV in a vestibulometry consultation), its opportunist character and the possible association with other more severe pathologies (meningiomas, multiple sclerosis, cerebellar venous angioma, vascular cerebral infarction) or more benign pathologies (labyrinth malformation, middle fossa atrophia). Sémont liberatory maneuver revealed to be much efficient (50% of patients free of disease after a single repositioning manoeuvre). Only 3 cases remaining unchanged after 2 years and intractable were proposed for surgery. We mention 7% of bilateral forms and 5% of alternating recurrent forms (sometimes on the right and sometimes on the left side). The recurrence is noted in 50% of BPPV followed at least during one year. We describe a particular topographic form concerning probably a cupulolithiasis of the external canal. 53% of cases beneficiated of CT-scan or of magnetic resonance imaging. The frequency and the possibility of pathological associations with BPPV bring to a particular vigilance for the diagnosis and to a particular care in the affirmation of the benignity in the case of long lasting vertigo (superior to 6 months), or when the nystagmus duration in Hallpike position is superior to 60 seconds.