Finding
Nevertheless, these patients are terrified by their vertigo, and if they can be made symptom free within 1 to 2 days of a benign procedure, such as that described by Dr. Epley, I believe that it is improper to withhold this treatment awaiting some type of spontaneous resolution, only for the problem to recur months to years later.
Paper
Author's Reply
Abstract
patients with the identical procedure and have had approximately 95% complete cessation of symptoms within 1 to 2 days of performing the maneuver. I have had approximately a 5% to 10% recurrence rate, requiring one additional session for canalith repositioning procedures, which have consistently been successful in the elimination of this very disturbing symptom. It may well be, as Dr. Blakley points out, that benign paroxysmal positional vertigo will resolve spontaneously, as it has been described commonly as an intermittent disorder. Nevertheless, these patients are terrified by their vertigo, and if they can be made symptom free within 1 to 2 days of a benign procedure, such as that described by Dr. Epley, I believe that it is improper to withhold this treatment awaiting some type of spontaneous resolution, only for the problem to recur months to years later. Dr. Epley has had difficulty in getting his data published in the literature, and in my opinion, this has been to the detriment of the patient with this disorder. I want to lend myvoice to the support of Dr. Epley for his insight into this disorder and the development of a unique procedure, which in my hands, has been characteristically successful in the treatment of these patients.
Authors
B. Blakley
Journal
Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery