What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the appropriateness of the term 'benign' in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and propose a change in nomenclature.

April 3, 2026

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Key Points

To evaluate the appropriateness of the term 'benign' in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and propose a change in nomenclature.
Analyzed the current terminology used for BPPV.
Discussed the implications of the term 'benign' on patient perception.
Proposed an alternative name: peripheral paroxysmal positional vertigo.
Argues that 'benign' misrepresents the condition as it can significantly affect patients.
Highlights that omitting 'peripheral' in the terminology loses the distinguishing feature of the disorder.

Abstract

This paper focuses on the justification for changing the terminology of the most frequent peripheral vestibular disorder, called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Below, we argue that continued use of "benign" is a misnomer because many patients are adversely affected by BPPV. In addition, the term squanders its critical, distinguishing cause by omitting "peripheral." Instead, we support changing the nomenclature from BPPV to peripheral paroxysmal positional vertigo (PPPV, or 3 PV).

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Authors

Michael Strupp

LMU Klinikum

Anita Bhandari

Equilibrium Research

Thomas Brandt

German Center for Lung Research

Journals

Neurology

Actions

Institutions

Johns Hopkins University

University of Pittsburgh

Johns Hopkins Medicine

References and Citations

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Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Key Points

Abstract

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Discussion

Authors

Journals

Actions

Institutions

References and Citations

Citation Network

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Discussion

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