Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo as the cause of dizziness in patients after severe traumatic brain injury: diagnosis and treatment

OBJECTIVES: To identify patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) among patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Particle Repositioning Maneouvre (PRM). DESIGN AND METHODS: Eighteen months prospective study of 150 consecutive patients with severe TBI referred to an in-patients rehabilitation department. INTERVENTIONS: A structured interview emphasizing the possible presence of vertigo followed by a detailed neuro-otological examination. Patients diagnosed with BPPV were immediately treated with the PRM. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: BPPV diagnosis was based on a positive Dix-Hallpike positional test. PRM efficacy was determined by repeating the positional test 1 or 2 weeks after treatment. Twenty out of 150 (13.3%) patients complained about positional vertigo. The diagnosis of BPPV was confirmed in 10 patients. Signs and symptoms were completely relieved in six patients after a single PRM, while the other four patients needed repeated treatment for complete resolution of BPPV. CONCLUSIONS: About half of the patients with severe TBI who complain about positional vertigo suffer from BPPV. These patients can be efficiently treated by physical maneouvres improving the rehabilitation outcome.