Treatment strategy in acute benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical features and the strategy of management in acute benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV). METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on 46 patients who were diagnosed with acute BPPV between October 2010 and October 2014.All the patients were given with anti-vertigo drugs in acute stage of BPPV in the first week.The strategy of the treat ment and the complications of the canalith repositioning procedures(CRP) were analysed. RESULTS In the 46 cases with acute BPPV who were treated with medicine,18 were recovered, 27 had effects, and 1 was ineffective.Twenty-eight patients were performed CRP,whose nystagmus and symptoms were disappeared finally. In addition,one case was reported about the fracture of the lumbar spine in CRP process in acute stage of BPPV,and another case developed both canalith jam and transient ischemic attack after CRP. CONCLUSION Due to the course of BPPV which is self-limited, the CRP performed in the acute BPPV may be potentially risky.We should fully evaluate general condition of the patients.The patients with osteoporosis or in menopausal transition should be fully informed of the risk of the CRP and taken preventive measures to avoid adverse injury.