[Benign paroxysmal vertigo. Our 14 years' experience with this entity].
BACKGROUND
Benign paroxysmal vertigo (BPV) is characterised by the sudden onset of brief recurring episodes of loss of balance, sometimes accompanied by vegetative symptoms, which tend to disappear spontaneously in a matter of months or years and have no intercritical alterations.


METHODS
We analyse the clinical and developmental characteristics of the patients who were listed as possible cases of benign paroxysmal vertigo in the database of the Neuropaediatric Unit of the Hospital Miguel Servet in Zaragoza over a 14 year period. Clinical records were reviewed and cases no longer controlled were contacted by telephone.


RESULTS
18 patients were considered to be cases of BPV, with the typical criteria, and 13 were found to be possible BPV (p-BPV). The atypical data of the p-BPV included late age of onset, prolonged persistence of the episodes and long duration of each episode. Neuroimaging was performed in 8 (44%) of the BPV and 10 (77%) of the p-BPV, and electroencephalogram recordings were carried out in 15 (83%) of the BPV and 11 (85%) of the p-BPV, with normal results in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Establishing a diagnosis of BPV with strict criteria can mean that some atypical cases are excluded. As no biological marker is available, the diagnosis is clinical-developmental and sometimes complementary tests need to be conducted in order to rule out other pathological conditions. A broader clinical spectrum, cases in which the episodes last longer and a greater range of ages of onset and complete remission are all possible. A diagnosis of BPV should reassure the patients' families as it is a benign process that tends to disappear spontaneously.
Gros-Esteban
D
D
Sección de Neuropediatría. Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, 50009 Zaragoza, España.
Gracia-Cervero
E
E
García-Romero
R
R
Ureña-Hornos
T
T
Peña-Segura
J L
JL
López-Pisón
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*