Cervical vertigo due to rotational fixation of atlantoaxial joint combined with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Vertigo is the most common clinical complaint, misdiagnosed patients are not rare, so it is very important to exclude and identify vertigo. For vertigo caused by multiple causes, including cervical vertigo with atlantoaxial rotation fixation combined with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), tuina can correct joint misalignment. The reduction technique will return the fallen otolith to the correct position. The use of massage and reduction can improve clinical symptoms and improve quality of life and may be a simple, safe, and effective treatment strategy for this disease. Patient concerns: We report on a patient with both cervical vertigo due to atlantoaxial rotational fixation and BPPV, including his imaging examination, clinical manifestations, and treatment methods. Diagnosis: Cervical vertigo (atlantoaxial rotatory fixation) and BPPV. Intervention: Tuina combined with atlantoaxial directional inverted reduction technique and reduction manipulation. Outcomes: The patient’s vertigo symptoms improved significantly, nystagmus disappeared, cervical occipital pain, nausea, head distension, and other symptoms disappeared, and cervical motion rotation reached 60°. Conclusion: This study proved the effectiveness of massage combined with a reduction in the treatment of cervical vertigo and BPPV, as well as the importance of vertigo diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and provided a new treatment idea for the future diagnosis and treatment of vertigo caused by a variety of causes.