Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Abstract

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the commonest causes of vertigo and accounts for about a fifth of the referrals to specialised vertigo clinics. Most patients present in their 4th to 7th decade, and women are affected about twice as often as men. It is a commonly missed condition even though it is readily diagnosed by positional testing. Recent insights into its pathophysiology have provided the basis for new and effective treatments.