title: The role of high-resolution magnetic resonance in atypical and intractable benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: our preliminary experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is easy when typical nystagmus is present. However, diagnostic doubts arise when faced with cases presenting atypical features of the positional paroxysmal nystagmus as well as the clinical course and disease evolution.
  
  
  METHODS
  A morphological evaluation of inner ear structures via high-resolution magnetic resonance (HR-MR) studies has been performed in 2 patients that did not respond to traditional therapeutic manoeuvres.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 1 patient, a filling defect at the level of the middle portion of the right lateral semicircular canal (LSC) has been demonstrated, while in the second one, a geometric-architectural abnormality - a 'fold' in the LSC - has been observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HR-MR study of the inner ear offers a meaningful contribution to interpreting the physiopathogenesis of atypical cases of BPPV. HR-MR of the inner ear is a safe and useful tool to investigate patients with atypical and intractable BPPV.
authors.affiliation: Second ENT Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy. iacopodallan@tiscali.it
authors.forename: Iacopo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dallan
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bruschini
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Neri
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nacci
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Segnini
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rognini
authors.forename: Augusto Pietro
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Casani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*