[Nystagmus and benign paroxysmal vertigo (author's transl)].

Audio-impedence, vestibular, caloric, and electronystagmograph tests were conducted in 22 patients with benign paroxysmal vertigo. The disorder is provoked by certain sudden head movements, a latency period of several seconds occurring between the end of the movement and the onset of vertigo. This markedly differentiates it from other types of vertigo. It is of brief duration and associated with autonomic nervous system signs. Nystagmus, usually rotatory, is provoked by the particular head movement involved or by Hallpike's manoeuver. Results of the majority of tests were normal, occasional slight anomalies being observed after calibrated caloric vetibular test. This benign affection appears to be due to a bilateral, or more frequently unilateral mechanical lesion of the posterior semicircular canal cupula. It runs a extremely variable course, usually not exceeding four months, and is an indication of choice for vestibular reeducation, for which new techniques have been developed.