Repeated canalith repositioning procedure in BPPV: Effects on recurrence and dizziness prevention.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether a repeated canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) influences the residual symptoms and the rate of recurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in patients with post-CRP dizziness.


METHODS
In this retrospective study, we analyzed 292 patients at the referral center for ENT diseases with a first episode of BPPV treated with a single CRP following clinical practice guidelines. In 178 patients (67.9%) who presented dizziness after BPPV recovery at the follow-up visit, 94 patients underwent CRP (treated group) and 84 did not (non-treated group). A subjective evaluation of vertigo was made by way of a questionnaire. The rates of recurrence of BPPV and residual dizziness were statistically compared between the treated and the non-treated groups; survival analysis was carried out as well.


RESULTS
In an observational period ranging from 1 to 6years, BPPV recurred in 122 subjects (46.6%) of the investigated population. Among the patients with residual dizziness, the difference in rate of recurrence of BPPV between the treated group and the non-treated group was not statistically significant (p=0.84). The treated group presented a significantly higher rate of recovery from dizziness compared to the non-treated group (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
A repeated CRP in patients with post-CRP dizziness increased the rate of recovery from dizziness but had no influence on BBPV recurrence.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste, Italy.
Giancarlo
G
Tirelli
Unit of Otolaryngology, Azienda Ospedaliera "S. Maria degli Angeli", Via Montereale, 27, Pordenone, Italy.
Luca
L
Nicastro
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste, Italy.
Annalisa
A
Gatto
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste, Italy. Electronic address: margheritatofanelli@hotmail.com.
Margherita
M
Tofanelli
D000368:Aged; D065635:Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056888:Patient Positioning; D012008:Recurrence; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome