Application of Nystagmography in Diagnosing Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and Migraine-Associated Vertigo in the Horizontal Canal

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of nystagmography in distinguishing between benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and migraine-associated vertigo. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 83 vertigo patients admitted to the hospital between June 2023 and June 2024. Patients were divided into two groups based on etiology: the control group consisted of 41 cases of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) affecting the horizontal semicircular canal, and the experimental group comprised migraine-associated vertigo (42 cases). All patients underwent nystagmography and the roll test within one week of symptom onset (acute or subacute phase). Results Results: The incidence of abnormal findings in spontaneous nystagmus, saccadic pursuit, smooth pursuit, and fixation tests was higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). Horizontal nystagmus was observed in 41 cases in the control group, while the experimental group showed horizontal nystagmus in 30 cases, horizontal-rotatory nystagmus in 7 cases, and pure rotatory nystagmus in 5 cases. Nylen classification in the experimental group was: Type I in 27 cases, Type II in 8 cases, and Type III in 7 cases. Under left lateral, right lateral, and supine positions, the experimental group exhibited shorter nystagmus latency, longer duration, and faster SPV than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The combination of nystagmography findings and clinical manifestations holds significant diagnostic value in distinguishing horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo from acute migraine-associated vertigo, providing valuable reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Ms. Xiaoqin Yu, Chief Nurse and Director of the Nursing Department at Jiujiang University Affiliated Hospital. She has been consecutively honored as an “Outstanding Clinical Instructor” for several years. In 2020, she received the titles of “Jiangxi Province March 8th Red Banner Bearer for Combating the COVID-19 Pandemic” and “Top 100 Outstanding Anti-Epidemic Nursing Workers.” In 2024, she was recognized as a “Jiangxi Province Category E High-Level Talent.” During her career, she has led three research projects, participated in fourteen others, and published over twenty academic papers.