part 6
The liberatory maneuver usually provokes more severe responses from the patient, as compared to those provoked by CRT. It should be reserved for patients with cupulolithiasis because the intensity of the head motion is more likely to dislodge particles from the cupula. The studies that have compared the liberatory maneuver with CRT show the success rates for the two procedures are similar. However, patients with cupulolithiasis were not separated from patients with canalithiasis, so the similarity most likely pertains to BPPV of canalithiasis origin. Currently, there are no studies comparing the success rates of the liberatory maneuver and CRT when the mastoid oscillations are used. The last treatment option is the Brandt-Daroff exercises.5 The patient is instructed to perform these exercises at home while sitting on the bed, with legs hanging over the side of the bed. After turning the head about 45 degrees away from the side that provokes symptoms, the patient rapidly moves to a position of lying down on the side that provokes symptoms. After the symptoms subside the patient returns rapidly back to the sitting position and waits again for the symptoms to diminish. The patient then should repeat the procedure on the opposite side. Audiologists should instruct patients to repeat the maneuver five to 10 times, two or three times a day, until they are symptom-free for two consecutive days. It was assumed initially that remission after Brandt-Daroff exercises was the result of habituation to noxious stimuli, but it now appears that repeated head movements cause the canaliths to disperse and gradually leave the canal. That means these exercises are an inefficient form of the CRT or liberatory maneuver. Although the reported success rates are close to those of CRT and liberatory maneuver, the use of Brandt-Daroff exercises should be limited to relieving residual symptoms when the CRT and liberatory maneuver are not completely successful. References 1. Hall, S.F., Ruby, R.R., McClure, J.A. (1979). The mechanics of benign paroxysmal vertigo. Journal of Otolaryngology, 8 (2), 151-158. 2. Epley, J.M. (2001). Human experience with canalith repositioning maneuvers. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 942: 179-191. 3. Epley, J.M. (1992). The canalith repositioning procedure: For treat-. ment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 107 (3): 399-404. 4. Semont, A., Freyss, G., Vitte, E. (1988). Curing BPPV with a liberatory maneuver. Advances in Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 42: 290-293. 5. Herdman, S.J., Tusa, R.J. (2001). Diagnosis and Treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Schaumberg, IL: ICS Medical. 6. Massoud, E.A., Ireland, D.J. (1996). Post-treatment instructions in the nonsurgical management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Journal of Otolaryngology, 25 (2), 121-125. 7. Herdman, S.J., Tusa, R.J., Zee, D.S., et al. (1993). Single treatment approaches to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 119 (4): 450-454. 8. Dunniway, H.M., Welling, D.B. (1998). Intracranial tumors mimicking benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Otolaryngology-Head . and Neck Surgery, 118 (4): 429-436. 9. Li, J.C. (1995). Mastoid oscillation: A critical factor for success in the canalith repositioning procedure. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 112 (6): 670-675. 10. Hain, T.C., Helminski, J.O., Reis, I.L., et al. (2000). Vibration does not improve results of the canalith repositioning procedure. Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 126 (5): 617-622. 11. Wolf, J.S., Boyev, K.P., Manokey, B.J., et al. (1999). Success of the modified Epley maneuver in treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Laryngoscope, 109 (6): 900-903. 12. Nuti, D., Nati, C., Passali, D. (2000). Treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: No need for post-maneuver restrictions. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 122 (3): 440-444. 13. Herdman, S.J., Tusa, R.J. (1996). Complications of the canalith repositioning procedure. Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 122 (3): 281-286. Kamran Barin is assistant professor of otolaryngology and director of the Balance Disorders Clinic at Ohio State University in Columbus. He can be reached at 614-293-8067 or
[email protected].