[Particle repositioning maneuver for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of posterior semicircular canal].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of particle repositioning maneuver (PRM) for the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

METHODS: Thirty one patients with BPPV of the posterior semicircular canal treated between July 1996 and June 1998 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients received a single treatment of PRM based on the hypothesis that the vertigo and nystagmus of BPPV were due to debris floating in the long arm of the posterior canal (canalithiasis). Treatment outcome was classified as cure (asymptomatic), improvement reduction of symptoms > 50%, or no change.

RESULTS: After a single treatment of PRM, complete remission of vertigo and nystagmus were found in 67.7% of the patients and improvement of the symptoms was found in 19.4% of the patients. The total improvement rate was 87.1%.

CONCLUSION: The particle repositioning maneuver was effective for most of the patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and can be recommended as the first-line treatment modality.