Definition and classification of paroxysmal positional vertigo

ABSTRACT The aim of the present paper is to focus on the classification of one of the most frequent peripheral vestibular pathologies: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or paroxysmal positional vertigo (PPV). Having discussed some aspects of the terminology of PPV, the authors describe its natural course and evolution. Three different types of classification are proposed basing the first on the pathogenesis of PPV, the second on aetiological factors and the third on the topographical localization of otoconial debris in the labyrinth.