What is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo?

What is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo?

• A. BPPV
• B. Meniere's syndrome
• C. Barre-Lieou syndrome
• D. Vertebrobasilar insufficiency

Answer: (A)

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo. It occurs when tiny otoconia dislodge from the utricle and drift into a semicircular canal (usually the posterior canal), so changing head position briefly triggers spinning vertigo. Vertigo episodes are typically brief, lasting seconds to a minute, and can be reproduced with specific head movements; the diagnostic test commonly used is the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, which elicits a characteristic transient nystagmus. Treatment centers on canalith repositioning maneuvers (such as the Epley maneuver) to relocate the debris out of the canal, often providing rapid relief. This stands in contrast to other causes: Meniere's syndrome features longer vertigo spells with fluctuating hearing loss and tinnitus; Barre-Lieou syndrome is not a standard current diagnosis; vertebrobasilar insufficiency involves vascular problems and may present with additional neurological signs, making it a less likely explanation for the classic brief, positional vertigo seen in BPPV.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo. It occurs when tiny otoconia dislodge from the utricle and drift into a semicircular canal (usually the posterior canal), so changing head position briefly triggers spinning vertigo. Vertigo episodes are typically brief, lasting seconds to a minute, and can be reproduced with specific head movements; the diagnostic test commonly used is the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, which elicits a characteristic transient nystagmus. Treatment centers on canalith repositioning maneuvers (such as the Epley maneuver) to relocate the debris out of the canal, often providing rapid relief. This stands in contrast to other causes: Meniere's syndrome features longer vertigo spells with fluctuating hearing loss and tinnitus; Barre-Lieou syndrome is not a standard current diagnosis; vertebrobasilar insufficiency involves vascular problems and may present with additional neurological signs, making it a less likely explanation for the classic brief, positional vertigo seen in BPPV.