Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common kind of vertigo that we come across in our out-patient clinic. Horizontal canal BPPV (HC-BPPV) accounts for 10–30% of total BPPV. Two techniques, namely Guffoni and barbecue roll manoeuvres, are generally used to treat this type of BPPV. The study aimed to look at the effectiveness of both these manoeuvres and their long-term benefit and tried to identify any risk factors that may lead to recurrence of the HPPV. The study recruited 61 patients, confirmed their diagnosis with VNG and Dix and log roll tests, and performed Gufoni and barbecue manoeuvres on alternate patients. They followed their patients for an average for 48 months. They found both manoeuvres to be equally effective and noticed no statistical difference between the two. The recurrence rate was 18% at one year, 14% at two years, and 31% overall.
They found age to be the main risk factor for the recurrence in their series.
This is a useful paper highlighting that we should actively look for horizontal BPPV, treat it with either Gufoni or barbecue and perhaps follow-up elderly patients more frequently and treat appropriately.
