OBJECTIVE: Report the clinical findings and outcomes among pediatric patients diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) after sports-related concussion (SRC).
PATIENTS: Patients younger than 19 years with a sport or recreation activity-related concussion referred for comprehensive vestibular physiotherapy assessment.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Symptom resolution after targeted particle repositioning (PR).
RESULTS: During the study period, 115 pediatric SRC patients underwent vestibular physiotherapy assessment including 12 (10.4%) who were diagnosed with BPPV. Unilateral posterior semicircular canal (SCC) BPPV was diagnosed in 8/12 (75%) patients, and unilateral anterior SCC BPPV diagnosed in 4/12 (25%) patients. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was successfully treated in all patients with a mean of 1.58 targeted PR maneuvers (range = 1-4).
CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive management of pediatric SRC requires a multidisciplinary approach to address the heterogeneous pathophysiology of persistent postconcussion symptoms. Pediatric SRC patients with coexisting BPPV should be considered for targeted PR.