Treatment for BPPV, anterior canal, bilateral or side unknown

By Marcello Cherchi, MD PhD

For patients

For a person who has benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) involving the anterior canal (also called the superior canal) on both sides, or if the side is unknown, the relevant treatment maneuvers include the Yacovino maneuver or the Casani maneuver.

For clinicians

The anterior (superior) canal is the one least commonly involved by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Usually the pattern of nystagmus on video oculography (VOG) can distinguish which side is involved.

However, in some cases the affected side is not clear, or the clinician may suspect involvement of both sides. In this circumstance the main options for treatment maneuvers are:

• Yacovino maneuver
• Casani maneuver
• Crevits prolonged forced position procedure