ear, nose, and throat disorders
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Key Points
In BPPV, vertigo is caused by displacement of otoconial crystals into a semicircular canal; symptoms are triggered by head movement. Nausea and vomiting may also occur, but not tinnitus or hearing loss. Diagnosis is clinical, but some patients require MRI to rule out other conditions. Treat with canalith-repositioning maneuvers. Medications rarely help and may worsen symptoms. 