Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood.

Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood is a vestibular disorder characterized by multiple sudden brief episodes of true vertigo with nystagmus usually beginning after the age of 4. The diagnosis is based on the characteristic history, because the otologic and neurologic examinations, electronystagmogram, audiogram, and electroencephalogram are usually normal. The etiology of the disorder remains unknown, although a vascular disturbance of the posterior circulation with ischemia of the labyrinth or vestibular nuclei is most commonly postulated. A review of the literature and five new cases are used to acquaint otolaryngologists with this entity, review the characteristic clinical history, discuss differential diagnosis, and emphasize the usual clinical course.