Treatment of Patients With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and Severe Immobility Using the Particle Repositioning Chair: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE

To report treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in patients unable to undergo traditional canalith repositioning maneuvers (CRMs) using a particle repositioning chair (PRC).

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted at a single high-volume otology practice of patients diagnosed with BPPV from 2007 to 2017 with immobility prohibiting use of traditional CRMs. Patients were diagnosed and treated using a PRC, and outcome measures including resolution, recurrence, and number of treatment visits were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 34 patients meeting criteria were identified, 24 of whom had cervical spine disease and 10 of whom had other prohibitive immobility. Symptoms were present for between 5 days and 11 years at presentation, with mean and median of 552 and 90 days, respectively. Symptoms resolved in 68% of patients and recurred in 13% of those patients. Most patients required 1 treatment visit.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful treatment of patients with BPPV and concomitant immobility prohibiting traditional CRMs is reported using the PRC. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in the setting of immobility is an indication for treatment with a PRC if available.