Can a Chronic BPPV w/a History of Trauma be the Trigger of Symptoms in Vestibular Migraine, ME/CFS & Whiplash Associated Disorders?, 2018, Carsten

[Andy]

Not at all sure of the value of this.

Background: In patients with chronic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), i.e., chronic vestibular multicanalicular canalithiasis (CVMCC), abnormal signals are transmitted from diseased labyrinths via the healthy vestibular nuclei complex to their end organs. The vestibulo-thalamo-cortical reflex as proposed in vestibular migraine is just one of these reflexes. In a group of patients diagnosed with CVMCC otolith repositioning maneuvers specific for each semicircular canal (SCC) ameliorated pain and other symptoms in 90%. Increased awareness of CVMCC may reduce suffering and continuous medication.

Objective: To evaluate if CVMCC can be the trigger of symptoms in vestibular migraine, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and whiplash associated disorders (WAD).

Study Design: Retrospective consecutive observational cohort study.

Setting: Ambulatory at a private Otoneurology Centre.

Patients: One hundred sixty-three patients with CVMCC and a history of trauma.

Intervention: Based on the symptoms (structured symptom questionnaire), the patients are post hoc sub grouped according to the criteria of the different diagnoses.

Main Outcome Measure: Frequency of patients with CVMCC who fulfill the criteria of the different diagnoses.

Results: 98% of all patients with CVMCC fulfill the Barany Society criteria of a probable vestibular migraine; 17% fulfill the International Classification of Headache Disorders defined vestibular migraine criteria; 63% fulfill the Fukuda criteria of ME/CFS; 100% of the patients with WAD suffer from CVMCC.

Conclusion: This survey supports the hypothesis that CVMCC can be the trigger of symptoms in vestibular migraine, ME/CFS, and WAD. The actual diagnosis the patient receives is often in accordance with the patient's dominant symptom.

Paywall at https://journals.lww.com/otology-ne...PV_With_a_History_of_Trauma_be_the.96598.aspx

 

[Forbin]

Well, my first ME symptom was an acute attack of "vertigo," and balance problems continued to be a major symptom for years afterward. Still, it's going to take a whole lot of convincing for me to accept that all the subsequent symptoms were just downstream effects from a problem of the vestibular system.

It sounds crazy, but is it crazy enough to be true?

 

[janice]

I too had dizziness/vertigo and which was given label "Labyrinthitis" years ago?

I'm desperate enough to have a look?!

 

[ME/CFS Skeptic]

"Any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word no." - Betteridge's law of headlines. I suspect this applies here as well.

 

[Mij]

BPPV was my initial ME viral onset 28 years ago. I still experience it on and off for many years.

 

[Mithriel]

One of the names of ME was epidemic vertigo.

 

[JemPD]

BPPV was my initial ME viral onset 28 years ago. I still experience it on and off for many years.

Me too.

 

[Forbin]

I assume by "with a history of trauma" they mean something along the lines of a physical injury, like a blow to the head or some other kinetic force on the body. I really don't recall experiencing anything like that in the months prior to onset - and it's the kind of thing that I, or my neurologist, would have been suspicious of at the time. I certainly don't remember any major accident.

 

[Forbin]

One of the names of ME was epidemic vertigo.

And assuming they are talking about physical trauma/injury leading to vestibular problems (which can happen), how do they explain the "epidemics"?