Dix-Hallpike Maneuver

This is an example of the Dix-Hallpike maneuver. To begin, we place our hands on the patient's head and rotate their head 45 degrees to one side. Then, we rapidly have the patient lay down and extend their head off the edge of their bed so that their head is hanging approximately 30 to 60 degrees in extension. We will hold the patient's head in this position and observe their eyes for the presence of nystagmus. This will generally be a rotary and vertical nystagmus, if positive. We can then return the patient to the upright and seated position and repeat the procedure on the contralateral side.