Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHODS: This was a retrospective study comprising patients referred to our center after whiplash injury. The patients were evaluated with neurotologic examination including bedside and instrumental tests. A Dizziness Handicap Inventory evaluating the symptoms of patients was submitted before and after treatment and was evaluated. The BPPV patients were separately evaluated from those with cervicogenic vertigo, and a comparison between our data about idiopathic BPPV was done. RESULTS: Eighteen patients of whiplash who had BPPV were evaluated. The mean age was 38.2 years. BPPV was the cause of vertigo in 33.9% of total whiplash patients. In 16 cases, the posterior semicircular canal was involved; the lateral semicircular canal was involved in 2 cases. The instrumental neurotologic assessment did not show any alteration of either vestibulospinal reflexes or dynamic ocular movements. Duration of symptoms before treatment ranged from 3 to 26 days. A total of 55.5% of patients had relief from their symptoms after first repositioning maneuver. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory score improved in all patients treated with repositioning maneuvers, but no difference emerged with idiopathic BPPV data. CONCLUSION: BPPV after whiplash injury could be unveiled with a simple bedside examination of peripheral vestibular system, and a treatment could be done in the same session. The diagnosis of posttraumatic BPPV is not different from the idiopathic form, but the treatment may require more maneuvers to achieve satisfactory results.
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Authors | Francesco Dispenza, Alessandro De Stefano, Navneet Mathur, Adelchi Croce, Salvatore Gallina |
Journal | American journal of otolaryngology
(Am J Otolaryngol)
2011 Sep-Oct
Vol. 32
Issue 5
Pg. 376-80
ISSN: 1532-818X [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 20832902
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Nystagmus, Physiologic
(physiology)
- Patient Positioning
- Prognosis
- Recurrence
- Retrospective Studies
- Semicircular Canals
(physiopathology)
- Trauma Severity Indices
- Vertigo
(diagnosis, etiology, physiopathology)
- Whiplash Injuries
(complications, diagnosis, physiopathology)
- Young Adult
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