Paroxysmal positional vertigo after cochlear implantation.
CONCLUSIONS
We observed 4 cases of paroxysmal positional vertigo (PPV) among 62 cochlear implant (CI) recipients. They occurred in the implanted ear without chronological relation with the surgical procedure or the implant's activation. All of them relapsed within 3 months after an initially successful repositioning maneuver, and finally recovered after the second one. None of the patients showed labyrinthine weakness in the implanted ear. The outbreak of PPV did not affect the patients' speech perception performances.


OBJECTIVE
To report and discuss the occurrence of PPV after cochlear implantation.


METHODS
Among 32 adult patients who received a Nucleus CI, 4 suffered from PPV on the basis of Dix-Hallpike's maneuvers. After a Semont's repositioning maneuver, recurrences were similarly addressed. An electro-nystagmography (ENG) recording of caloric irrigation tests was obtained once the symptoms subsided.


RESULTS
The observed incidence of 12.5% exceeds the figures reported in the literature. No anatomic abnormalities were identified in these patients, nor were any intraoperative or postoperative complications reported. PPV developed 1-12 months after CI surgery in the posterior canal and relapsed within 3 months. ENG showed a normal reflectivity in two patients, while the other two had a significant prevalence of the implanted side. The outcomes of the speech perception tests after CI in all the four patients matched those of their corresponding categories.
Zanetti
Diego
D
Otolaryngology Department, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 5100 Brescia, Italy. diego_zanetti@iol.it
Campovecchi
Chiara Barbara
CB
Balzanelli
Cristiano
C
Pasini
Sara
S
D000293:Adolescent; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D002150:Caloric Tests; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D004584:Electronystagmography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000503:physiopathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014717:Vertigo / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy