Tumarkin-like phenomenon as a sign of therapeutic success in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria Vol. 76; no. 8; pp. 534 - 538
• Main Authors: Maranhão, Eliana T, Whitney, Susan L, Maranhão-Filho, Péricles
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria 01.08.2018; Academia Brasileira de Neurologia - ABNEURO; Academia Brasileira de Neurologia (ABNEURO)
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Benign; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - physiopathology; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - therapy; benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, posterior semicircular canal; canalithiasis; Canals (anatomy); Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; NEUROSCIENCES; Patient Positioning - methods; Patients; Physical Therapy Modalities; PSYCHIATRY; Self Report; Semicircular Canals - physiopathology; Sensation - physiology; Sitting Position; Time Factors; treatment; Treatment Outcome; Vertigo; vestibulolithiasis; canalitíase; vestibulolithiasis; treatment; canal semicircular posterior; benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, posterior semicircular canal; vertigem posicional paroxística benigna; tratamento; litíase vestibular; canalithiasis
• ISSN: 0004-282X; 1678-4227; 1678-4227
• DOI: 10.1590/0004-282x20180073

To describe an unusual patient reaction to maneuvers used in the treatment of posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PC-BPPV) that we termed the "Tumarkin-like phenomenon". At a private practice, 221 outpatients were diagnosed and treated for PC-BPPV. The treatment consisted of performing the Epley or Semont maneuvers. At the end of these maneuvers, when assuming the sitting position, the patients' reactions were recorded. Thirty-three patients showed a Tumarkin-like phenomenon described by a self-reported sensation of suddenly being thrown to the ground. In the follow-up, this group of patients remained without PC-BPPV symptoms up to at least 72 hours after the maneuvers. The occurrence of a Tumarkin-like phenomenon at the end of Epley and Semont maneuvers for PC-BPPV may be linked with treatment success.