Model experiments of otoconia stability after canalith repositioning procedure of BPPV

Abstract

Conclusion: Postural restrictions are probably not necessary after the canalith repositioning procedure (CRP). Objectives: Epley reported the effect of CRP for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). After CRP, patients are often requested to restrict postural change. However, some studies suggested that CRP may work without postural restrictions. The present study aimed to determine the necessity of post-maneuver postural restriction using the frog labyrinth model. Methods: The otoconial mass from the sacculus was placed on the utricular macular otoconia, mimicking a condition after CRP. The stability of the otoconial mass was observed by tilting the preparation, immediately, 3 min, and 5 min after it was placed on the macular otoconia. The utricular macula was maintained in the vertical plane for 10 s, during which period the behavior of the otoconial mass was observed. In experiment 1 the utricular macula was intact, in experiment 2 otoconia were partially removed, and in experiment 3 they were totally removed from the macula. Results: In experiments 1 and 2, in all preparations the otoconial mass became stabilized after 3 min. Even in experiment 3, in most preparations the otoconial mass became stabilized after 5 min.

Keywords::

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• CRP
• postural restrictions

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a Health and Labor Science Research Grant for Research on Specific Disease (Vestibular Disorders) from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan (2009) and a Grant-in Aid for Scientific Research (C) (19591989) provided by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.