title: Persistent positional nystagmus: a case of superior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?
abstract: Involvement of the superior semicircular canal (SSC) in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is rare. SSC BPPV is distinguished from the more common posterior semicircular canal (PSC) variant by the pattern of nystagmus triggered by the Dix-Hallpike position: down-beating torsional nystagmus in SSC BPPV versus up-beating torsional nystagmus in PSC BPPV. SSC BPPV may be readily treated at the bedside, which is a key component in excluding central causes of down-beating nystagmus. We present an unusual video case report believed to represent refractory SSC BPPV based on the pattern of nystagmus and the absence of any other central signs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otology and Neurotology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5312, USA. kheidenr@med.umich.edu
authors.forename: Katherine D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Heidenreich
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kerber
authors.forename: Wendy J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Carender
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Basura
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Telian
mesh_terms: D065635:Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy