Posttraumatische benigne paroxysmale positieduizeligheid

Dizziness is a frequently reported symptom following head trauma. Although often ascribed to concussion, post-traumatic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) must be included in the differential diagnosis. In this article, three patients who attended a neurology outpatient clinic with persistent dizziness following head trauma were ultimately diagnosed with post-traumatic BPPV. Dizziness lessened substantially once a canalith repositional manoeuvre was performed. Patients with post-traumatic BPPV are generally younger, report more severe symptoms and have a higher rate of relapse. Diagnosing post-traumatic BPPV can be challenging due to the presence of more urgent injuries in the initial phase and the habitual attribution of symptoms to concussion. A timely diagnosis is crucial, however, since treatment is easy to perform, non-invasive and effective.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.