Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo accompanied by sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a comparative study with idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To investigate the clinical characteristics of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) associated with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) and to compare them with the characteristics of idiopathic BPPV (i-BPPV).

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 519 patients with ISSHL and 597 patients with i-BPPV. The ISSHL patients with recent vertigo history before or after admission were tested with video-nystagmography that included the caloric test. BPPV with same-side ISSHL was identified and categorized as secondary BPPV (s-BPPV) using the roll or Dix-Hallpike test. All members of the s-BPPV and i-BPPV groups underwent a daily canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) during the admission periods. We investigated the clinical characteristics, including the number of CRPs performed to achieve successful reposition, canal involvement type, and effect of canal paresis and made comparisons between the s-BPPV and i-BPPV groups.

RESULTS: Of the 519 ISSHL patients, 63 (12.1%) were identified as having s-BPPV. Multicanal involvement was more frequent in s-BPPV than i-BPPV patients (P < .001). The mean number of CRPs needed to achieve successful reposition was 4.28 in s-BPPV and 1.34 in i-BPPV (P < .001). The presence of canal paresis was also associated with a greater number of CRPs required for s-BPPV (P < .02).

CONCLUSIONS: In about 12% of ISSHL patients, s-BPPV was concurrent. More CRPs were required for successful repositioning in patients with s-BPPV than in patients with i-BPPV. Also, the presence of canal paresis in s-BPPV was associated with a greater number of required CRPs.