A cupulolith repositioning maneuver in the treatment of horizontal canal cupulolithiasis.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated outcomes and their significance of a new treatment method for horizontal canal cupulolithiasis that could be applied regardless of the side of the cupula where otoliths are attached.

METHODS

Consecutive 78 patients who showed persistent apogeotropic horizontal canal positional vertigo (horizontal canal cupulolithiasis) were enrolled, and they were treated with the new cupulolith repositioning maneuver.

RESULTS

Horizontal semicircular canal cupulolithiasis was alleviated in 97.4% of patients, after an average of 2.1 repetitions of the maneuver. Otoliths were suspected to be attached to the canal side of the cupula in 30 cases and the utricular side in 44 cases.

CONCLUSION

The cupulolith repositioning maneuver is an effective method for treating horizontal canal cupulolithiasis. It may also provide an insight into the side of the cupula where otoliths are attached.