Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo of Childhood

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Episodic vertigo and/or dizziness in children are not frequent symptoms. Causes of benign episodic vertigo in pediatric age include bengin paroxysmal vertigo of childhood(BPV) and bengin paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV). While BPPV has been frequently observed in adult, less frequently observed in children. The aim is to review the clinical manifestations in children with BPPV. Materials and Method: 154 children with dizziness or vertigo, who visited the Dizziness Clinic in the Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea between January 2001 and November 2006 were selected for this study. From all the patients, a comprehensive history was obtained, followed by clinical examination of the ears, nose, and throat and a complete audiologic and neurotologic examination including electronystagmography. All patients were treated with an appropriate canalith repositioning maneuver(CRP), depending on the type of BPPV. Results: Seven (4.5%) of 154 children with dizziness or vertigo showed typical BPPV. The mean age was 11.8 years old (9-15 years). The horizontal and anterior semicircular canals were involved in 6 (85.8%) whereas the multiple semicircular canals were involved in 1 (14.2%) patients. Vertigo symptom subsided immediately in 6 (85.7%) patients after one or two trials of CRP, but 1(28.6%) patient showed recurred vertigo, that was treated with retrial of CRP. Conclusion: The incidence of BPPV in children were much lower than that of adult BPPV, but it was higher than we expected before. We recommend that clinical tests such as Dix-Hallpike maneuver and head rolling test should be performed on all children with dizziness to establish the diagnosis of BPPV.