Traumatic versus Idiopathic Benign Positional Vertigo

Analysis of Disease, Treatment, and Outcome Characteristics

Luryi, Alexander L. MD
LaRouere, Michael MD
Babu, Seilesh MD
Bojrab, Dennis I. MD
Zappia, John MD
Sargent, Eric W. MD
Schutt, Christopher A. MD

¹Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
²Department of Neurotology, Michigan Ear Institute, St John Providence Hospital and Medical Centers, Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA

Christopher A. Schutt, MD, Department of Neurotology, Michigan Ear Institute, St John Providence Hospital and Medical Centers, 30055 Northwestern Highway, Suite 101, Farmington Hills, MI 48334, USA. Email: [email protected]

Received June 5, 2018

Received in revised form July 16, 2018

Accepted August 10, 2018

Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery 160(1):p 131-136, January 2019. | DOI: 10.1177/0194599818797892

Objective

To compare characteristics between traumatic and idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) focusing on outcomes.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

High-volume tertiary otology center.

Subjects and Methods

Records of patients with BPPV treated at a single institution from 2007 to 2017 were analyzed. Traumatic BPPV was defined as BPPV symptoms beginning within 30 days following head trauma. Patient, disease, treatment, and outcome characteristics were compared between traumatic and idiopathic BPPV groups.

Results

A total of 1378 patients with BPPV were identified, 110 (8%) of which had traumatic BPPV. The overall resolution rate was 76%, and the recurrence rate was 38%. Patients with traumatic BPPV were younger (mean age: 61 vs 65 years, P = .007) and more likely to be male (40% vs 27%, P = .004) than patients with idiopathic BPPV. Traumatic BPPV was more likely to affect both ears (32% vs 19%, P = .009). No significant association was detected between trauma history and resolution rate, recurrence rate, number of treatment visits, or affected semicircular canals.

Conclusion

Patients with traumatic BPPV are more likely to be young and male than those with idiopathic disease. Although traumatic BPPV is often bilateral, outcomes for traumatic BPPV may be similar to those for idiopathic BPPV, contrary to prior reports.