The evaluation of subjective visual vertical in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

The aim of this research is to investigate utriculus function, to determine and evaluate its alterations in patients who referred with vertigo complaint and diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Research is a cross-sectional and analytic study. It was carried out in Otorhinolaryngology Department of Ege University Hospital. Research involved a total of 46 individuals between 18 and 70 years of age; of them 25 were normal individuals and 21 BPPV patients. Research was carried out between April 2015 and January 2016 after the permission of ethical board was obtained. Normal individuals were subjected to v-HIT and the BPPV patients to either v-HIT or Caloric Test, subsequently those who had normal results, were included in study. The Pure Tone Audiometry Test and Bucket Test were applied to all participants. In normal group, the Bucket Test at sitting (1.KTO) was found as 0,13±0,08o; the Bucket test at standing (1.KTA) as 0,13±0,1o; the Bucket Test at height (1.KTY) as 0,16±0,1o. In BPPV group the 1.KTO was found as 0,14±0,09o; the 1.KTA as 0,16±0,08o; and the 1.KTY as 0,15±0,1o prior to Epley maneuver. One week after Epley maneuver the 2.KTO 0,11±0,09o was; 2.KTA 0,11±0,08o was; and 2. KTY 0,13 ±0,08o was. One month after Epley maneuver the 3.KTO 0,10±0,06o was; 3. KTA 0,09±0,06o was; and 3.KTY 0,12±0,07o was. Consequently, the normal and BPPV groups were measured through Bucket Test and a significant cold not be found between SVV results. In BPPV group, a significant reduction was found in 3. KTA's value compeed to 1.KTA. In other tests any significant alteration was not observed. Bucket Test was not considered as an effective assessment method for investigation of utriculus function in BPPV patients. In order to develop a study on BPPV patients and to make it more effective, a differential diagnosis can be found in BPPV though evaluating the tests together that are used in vestibular assessment. Key Words: BPPV; SVV; Bucket Test