A Pilot Study Using Intratympanic Methylprednisolone for Treatment of Persistent Posterior Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effect of intratympanic methylprednisolone (ITMP) in posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) that fails treatment involving repositioning maneuver in a case series.

Materials and methods: Nine patients with persistent posterior canal BPPV after 6 or more repositioning maneuvers were treated by ITMP (two weekly doses of 0.3-0.4 mL at 40 mg/mL) before repeating the repositioning procedures.

Results: Following ITMP treatment, 7 out of 9 patients were relieved of their symptoms and did not exhibit positional nystagmus after 1 or 2 repositioning maneuvers. The number of positional maneuvers performed before and after ITMP treatment in these 7 patients showed a statistically significant (p=0.016) reduction in the amount of repositioning treatments required. None of the 7 respondent patients showed any relapses during the follow-up period (follow-up range: 11-95 months).

Conclusion: Administering ITMP before resuming repositioning procedures can be a useful treatment for persistent BPPV of the posterior canal.