Clinical Characteristics of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo of the Anterior Semicircular Canal / 대한평형의학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of anterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of 1,150 patients who were diagnosed with BPPV at an ENT special hospital. We investigated a number of canalith repositioning procedure (CRP), canal switch and a history of recurrence or head trauma. RESULTS: Anterior semicircular canal BPPV was observed in 41 (3.5%) patients. The average number of CRPs in patients with anterior semicircular canal BPPV was 2.19, which was higher than 1.60 in those with posterior semicircular canal BPPV (p<0.0001). Canal conversion from anterior to posterior semicircular canal was found in 5 (12.1%) patients during treatment. The average number of CRPs in conversion cases was 4, which was higher than 1.94 in non-conversion cases (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: More CRPs were necessary for the treatment of anterior semicircular canal BPPV than posterior semicircular canal BPPV. Canal switch could be considered as a factor to prevent a successful treatment.