Abstract / Summary
Background: Vestibular migraine (VM) and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) frequently present with overlapping positional symptoms, making their differential diagnosis challenging. This study aimed to characterize positional vestibular manifestations in patients with suspected VM.
Methods: In this observational study, 85 adult patients presenting with positional vertigo or dizziness in whom typical BPPV could not be demonstrated were evaluated. All patients underwent detailed clinical and neurotological assessment, videonystagmography, standardized positional testing.
Results: Definite VM was diagnosed in 51/85 patients (60.0%) and probable VM in 23/85 (27.1%), accounting together for 87.1% of the selected cohort. Positional nystagmus was documented in 52 patients (61.2%), of whom 38/52 (73.1%) showed at least one atypical characteristic. Pupillary Nystagmus (PNy) was detected in 61/85 patients (71.8. Among 14 patients with an initially BPPV-like positional pattern, five responded to canalith repositioning maneuvers, whereas nine had persistent or recurrent symptoms requiring diagnostic reassessment. At 3 months, 60/74 patients (81.1%) with definite or probable VM reported marked overall clinical improvement, while complete resolution of positional vertigo or dizziness occurred in 49/74 (66.2%). Positional nystagmus resolved in 36/47 patients (76.6%) who had presented with this finding at baseline.
Conclusions: VM should be considered in patients with recurrent positional vestibular symptoms when positional findings are atypical, variable, or inconsistent with a single semicircular canal disorder, particularly when repositioning maneuvers are ineffective. PNy may provide an additional supportive finding, although its di-agnostic value requires validation in controlled studies. Treatment response may support the overall clinical interpretation but should not be regarded as an independent diagnostic criterion.