Management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of lateral semicircular canal by Gufoni's manoeuvre.

UNLABELLED: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) of lateral semicircular canal (LSC) is one of the rarer forms of BPPV as compared to posterior semicircular canal BPPV. Various particle repositioning manoeuvres have been described in the literature as a mode of treating this condition.

PURPOSE: Evaluation and discussion of the procedure of the Gufoni's manoeuvre and its advantages in the treatment of BPPV of LSC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study of 58 patients affected by LSC BPPV who were office-treated with Gufoni's manoeuvre.

RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent of the patients so treated had complete resolution of symptoms, and 6.9% did not show any improvement in their symptoms. The remaining 13.8% had a conversion into posterior semicircular canal BPPV during treatment and were successfully treated with Epley's or Semont's manoeuvre.

CONCLUSIONS: Gufoni's manoeuvre is effective in treating patients suffering from BPPV of LSC; it is simple to perform; there are not many movements to execute, it needs low time of positioning, and positions are comfortable to the patient.