The Significance of the Straight Head-Hanging Test in the Diagnosis of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the application of the straight head-hanging test in the diagnosis of the benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV ) .Methods The clinical manifestations of 324 patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo treated in our department from July 2009 to April 2014 were retrospectively analyzed . All of the patients were tested by Dix -Hallpike and roll test first ,then the straight head-hanging test was carried out .Results Of the 324 cases ,53 cases(16 .36% ) had signs of simultaneous multiple canal involvement ,and 27 ca‐ses of them could be triggered the symptom of vertigo in the straight head -hanging test .In patients with single semicircular canal BPPV ,85 cases (26 .2% )were evoked vertigo with or without positional nystagmus by Dix -Hallpike tests and 120 cases (37 .04% )were triggered the symptom of vertigo with or without nystagmus through roll test ,another 66 cases(20 .37% ) were induced vertigo with or without nystagmus in the straight head-hanging test .66 patients with positive straight head-hanging test were rotated along the sagittal plane for repositional treat‐ment .When these patients were re-evaluated at one week and 3 months ,the total improvement were 86 .36% (57/66) and 83 .33% (55/66) ,respectively .Conclusion The straight head -hanging test can improve the diagnostic rate and it is especially helpful for the diagnosis of superior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo . In patients with a history of typical vertigo ,the straight head -hanging test should be performed if they showed negative Dix -Hallpike test and roll test.