Development of a murine model of traumatic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a preliminary study

Abstract

Conclusion: The results showed a gradual detachment of otoconia in the utricle after a single event of head vibration, possibly explaining the frequent recurrence of BPPV attacks and persistent dizziness after trauma.

Objectives: This study developed a murine model of traumatic BPPV and observed the changes in otoconia detachment over time.

Methods: Six-week-old CBA mice were used in this study. Otoconia detachment was induced by vibrating the head for 2 min. Utricles of mice were harvested from different groups: before the head vibration and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after vibration application. Using scanning electron microscopy and ImageJ software, the percentage of the intact area of otoconia in the utricle was calculated. Hearing thresholds were compared among the groups.

Results: The mean (± SD) percentages of the intact area of otoconia in the utricle were 98.1% ± 1.7% before the vibration and 93.6% ± 1.7%, 88.9% ± 5.3%, 78.2% ± 20.9%, and 38.9% ± 24.1% at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the vibration, respectively. The percentage decreased significantly over time after the vibration (p < .001). The hearing thresholds were not different among the groups.

Keywords:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• murine model
• otoconia

Disclosure statement

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