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. 2012 Apr;33(3):437-43.
doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3182487f78.

Recurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Paz Pérez  1 , Virginia Franco, Paz Cuesta, Patricia Aldama, María Jesús Alvarez, Juan Carlos Méndez
Affiliations

Recurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Paz Pérez et al. Otol Neurotol. 2012 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the recurrence rate of benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV) and the factors associated to such recurrences.

Study design: Prospective study.

Method: Sixty-nine consecutive patients treated for first episode of BPPV.

Study period: 63 months. Mean follow-up: 47 months.

Results: The recurrence rate was 27%. Fifty percent of recurrences occurred in the first 6 months. Nineteen patients had 1 or more recurrence of BPPV; 10 had 1 recurrence, 7 patients had 2, and 2 patients had 3 recurrences. There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate according to sex, age, side, cause of BPPV, or instability after successful treatment. Multi-canal BPPV (log-rank, p = 0.024) and anterior canal BPPV (log-rank, p = 0.029) showed a significantly greater tendency to recur and to do so earlier. There was a significant difference in time to recurrence related to the number of maneuvers used to resolve the initial BPPV episode (log-rank, p = 0.023). Except for cases of BPPV secondary to labyrinthitis or neurolabyrinthitis, at least 70% of the recurrences affected a different side and/or different canal than the primary BPPV.

Conclusion: The recurrence rate of BPPV is 27%, and relapse largely occurs in the first 6 months. When BPPV recurrence is suspected, every canal on both sides must be investigated because it is the BPPV syndrome that recurs, rather than BPPV affecting a particular side or canal. Complex cases of BPPV have a greater risk of recurrence.

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