Which maneuver is used to diagnose BPPV?

The Dix-Hallpike maneuver is specifically designed to diagnose Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). This diagnostic test involves the patient being rapidly positioned from a sitting posture to a supine position with the head turned to one side, allowing the clinician to observe the eye movements (nystagmus) that occur in response to changes in head position.

In patients with BPPV, this maneuver typically triggers characteristic eye movements in a specific direction, which assists in confirming the diagnosis. The presence and type of nystagmus observed can provide insight into the affected ear and the underlying condition causing the vertigo.

Other tests mentioned in the options do have their respective roles in evaluating balance and vestibular function, but they are not diagnostic for BPPV specifically. The Frenzel test assesses gaze-evoked nystagmus, the Romberg test evaluates balance and proprioception, and the Barany test is related to the caloric test which evaluates the function of the vestibular system but does not directly diagnose BPPV. Thus, the Dix-Hallpike maneuver remains the standard and most accurate method for diagnosing BPPV.