Important

It is possible that the main title of the report Nystagmus, Benign Paroxysmal Positional is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• BPPN
• Cupulolithiasis
• Labyrinthine Positional Nystagmus
• Paroxysmal Positional Nystagmus

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Nystagmus is a disorder of the vestibular system in the middle ear that causes dizziness due to altered function of the semicircular canals, usually involving the posterior canal but sometimes involving the horizontal canal. The dizziness, which is accompanied by abnormal eye movements or nystagmus, occurs suddenly and without warning; thus, it is "paroxysmal". It is also "positional" because the symptoms increase with certain movements of the head or body. It is the position of the head, rather than the movement, that causes the symptoms.