Which maneuver is used to diagnose BPPV?

• A. Romberg
• B. Weber
• C. Dix-Hallpike maneuver
• D. Rinne

Answer: (C)

BPPV is diagnosed by provoking vertigo with a maneuver that moves displaced otoconia within the semicircular canals. The Dix-Hallpike maneuver is the classic test for this. Have the patient sit, turn the head about 45 degrees to one side, then quickly lay the patient back with the neck extended so the posterior canal is dependent. A positive response includes a brief latency, vertigo, and a distinctive upbeating, torsional nystagmus toward the tested ear—often fatigues with repetition—indicating posterior canal BPPV.

Other tests here aren’t used to diagnose BPPV. The Romberg test assesses static balance and proprioception, not canalith-induced vertigo. Weber and Rinne are tuning-fork tests for hearing loss, not vertigo or canaliths.