title: Cost-effective management of benign positional vertigo using canalith repositioning.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of benign positional vertigo have resulted in significant costs to the medical system. In the current medical-economic climate, there is an increased emphasis on cost control. Recent studies have shown that the canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) is effective; the next step is to show the impact of CRP in cost-effective management of benign positional vertigo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six of 100 patients who underwent CRP for benign positional vertigo responded to a survey regarding the financial impact of their disease. They were asked to subjectively estimate the sum of all disease-related expenses. Objective substantiation of this number was estimated by tabulating physician data, laboratory data, and failed treatment costs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The subjective figure totaled $2684.74 per individual. Summation of the tangible objective figures yielded $2009.63 per patient, corroborating the subjective figure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because CRP is a relatively simple procedure that can obviate many wasted expenses in most patients, we believe that it is very cost-effective and should be incorporated into routine practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, Jupiter, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Epley
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weinberg
mesh_terms: D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics*; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010037:Otolithic Membrane; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000191:economics; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012665:Semicircular Canals; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures / Q000191:economics