Vertebral Artery Doppler in Patients With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the vertebral artery diameter and flow rates in patients with BPPV by using color Doppler ultrasonography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out at ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad, from October 2022 to October 2023. During this period, all patients aged 21 to 60 years, who presented with dizziness triggered by postural variation were included. Detailed clinical history was taken, and systemic and ENT examinations were done. All patients underwent color Doppler ultrasound of the vertebral artery. RESULT: This study included 40 patients. The most commonly affected age group was 51 to 60 years, with a mean age of 56 years. The type of BPPV was categorized as right posterior semicircular BPPV in 19 patients (47.5%), right lateral semicircular BPPV in 6 patients (15%), left posterior semicircular BPPV in 12 patients (30%), and left lateral semicircular BPPV in 3 patients (7.5%). On the BPPV-affected side, the vertebral artery diameter was lower by a mean of 0.07 cm [95% CI (0.05, 0.09)], and peak systolic velocity of 9.9 cm/s [95% CI (6.28, 13.49)]. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of 40 BPPV patients, VA parameters had small decreases on BPPV-affected side compared with non-affected side. Larger samples would be necessary to define these findings and any potential implications.