Physical Therapy for the Horizontal Semicircular Cupulolithiasis: A Prospective Interventional Case Series from an Otoneurology Center in South Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Abstract Objective This article aims to study the effect of physical therapy in patients of horizontal semicircular cupulolithiasis with results audited in the short term. Design Nonrandomized prospective interventional study. Study Sample Four patients with horizontal semicircular cupulolithiasis. Results All four patients in whom diagnostic supine roll test (carried at least thrice to look for the sustainability as well as the polarity of the nystagmus) elicited apogeotropic horizontal positional nystagmus lasting more than 1 minute were subjected to therapeutic head-shaking maneuver (HSM). The results were audited immediately after the physical therapy, and at 1 hour. Follow-up by telephonic interviews for 4 weeks was done in all patients. Three out of four patients responded to HSM alone. One patient who did not respond to HSM was successfully treated with four other sequent physical therapies. Conclusion The response of physical therapy for horizontal semicircular cupulolithiasis occasionally indicates the side of the cupula to which otoconial debris is adherent (Cup-U or Cup-C). Occasionally, Cup-C variant of horizontal semicircular cupulolithiasis can be transformed by physical therapy to long posterior arm horizontal semicircular canalolithiasis—a disorder with better established treatment options.