[Characteristic of nystagmus and treatment of horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristic of nystagmus and treatment of horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HSC-BPPV).

METHOD: The positioning nystagmic features in 43 patients with HSC-BPPV treated between April 2004 and October 2006 were recorded and analyzed with video nystagmography. After the subtype and the effect side were determined, the appropriate repositioning maneuvers were chosen.

RESULT: (1) Geotropic nystagmus was recorded in 27 cases, of whom 19 cases were treated with barbecue maneuver and/or combined forced prolonged position maneuver, while the others were treated with Asprella's maneuver. (2) Apogeotropic nystagmus was recorded in 16 cases with two types, one of which could turn into geotropic nystagmus with Gufoni's maneuver or spontaneously (in 12 cases), the other type could not (in 4 cases) transform accepted barbecue maneuver and/or combined forced prolonged position maneuver. The total improvement rate was 72.1% after 1 week and 81.4% 3 months later respectively.

CONCLUSION: The otolith position and the pathogenesis could be distinguished according to the nystagmic characteristics and type of HSC-BPPV. It was necessary to apply the appropriate repositioning maneuvers to treat HSC-BPPV.