Canalith repositioning procedure

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Step 1: Moving to a reclining position

The canalith repositioning procedure can treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which causes dizziness when you move your head. The procedure consists of head maneuvers that move particles in your inner ear — which cause dizziness — to a part of your ear where they won't.

Depending on your doctor's preferences, you may wear an infrared imaging device over your eyes during the canalith repositioning procedure. This helps your doctor examine your eyes during each maneuver, although it isn't necessary for successful treatment.

In the first step of the canalith repositioning procedure, your doctor or a trained professional helps you recline and turn your head to a 45-degree angle. The maneuvers shown here are for one type of BPPV, experienced on the left side in this person.

1. Johnson J, et al. Vestibular disorders. In: Lalwani AK. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2831167. Accessed April 19, 2010.
2. Clinical practice guideline: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. http://www.entnet.org/Practice/loader.cfm?csModule=security%2fgetfile&pageid=33697. Accessed April 20, 2010.
3. Shepard NT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 25, 2010.