Significance of typical complaints in diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

OBJECTIVE To identify the validity of two-question method(repeated transient vertigo during roll or up and down on bed)for BPPV diagnosis. METHODS One hundred and thirty eight cases with the chief complaints of repeated transient vertigo during roll or up and down on bed during 2007.12～2008.4 were included in this study. Dix-Hallpike and roll test were selected as the golden standard method for diagnosis. The sensitivity and specificity of two-question method for screening diagnosis of BPPV were identified. RESULTS Of all 138 cases,33 cases presented negative in positioning test,105 cases presented positional nystagmus and vertigo,in which 56 cases fulfilled the Guiyang BPPV standard. The sensitivity of two-question method for screening diagnosis of BPPV was 53.3%(56/105). During the same period,there were 62 identified BPPV cases presented in the clinic,56 cases were fitted with a history of two-question,6 cases with the other complaints,the specificity of two-question method for the diagnosis of BPPV was 90.3%(56/62). CONCLUSION Twoquestions method was a simple and practical method for BPPV screening diagnosis.