Dix-Hallpike Maneuver
Here is a description of the Dix-Hallpike Maneuver and information regarding what the patient’s reaction to the test suggest.
· Inform the patient that the procedure may provoke dizziness
o keep the patient seated upright
o the patient's head is turned 30 to 45 degrees to the side being tested
o keep the patient eyes focused on your eyes
o patient's head held and made to lie supine within about two seconds so that the neck lies hyperextended about 20 degrees past the horizontal plane
o eyes are observed for torsional nystagmus for up to 30 seconds
· Interpretations of the test
o horizontal nystagmus after a two- to 20-second latent period suggests a peripheral vestibular cause such as injury to the vestibule
o vertical nystagmus or nystagmus without a latent period suggests a central vestibular cause such as brainstem injury