efficacy and safety of semicircular canal occlusion for intractable horizontal semicircular benign paroxysmal positional vertigo background some studies have suggested that semicircular canal occlusion is effective and safe for treating intractable posterior semicircular benign paroxysmal positional vertigo pscbppv and adverse effects of canal occlusions for intractable horizontal semicircular bppv hscbppv were rarely reported the aim of this study was to retrospectively discuss the efficacy of semicircular canal occlusion for intractable hscbppv with at least 2 years of followupmethods from 2000 to 2011 3 female patients average age6069 years with a diagnosis of hscbppv refractory to headshake and barbecue roll maneuver underwent semicircular canal occlusion treatment in our hospital the supine roll test was performed to diagnose hscbppv and evaluate the treatment efficacyresults all patients with intractable hscbppv had complete resolution of their positional vertigo after semicircular canal occlusion with a negative supine roll test all patients reported transient postoperative disequilibrium nausea and vomiting which resolved within 2 weeks in addition 1 patient 333 had transient tinnitus which resolved after 4 months there were no other significant longterm complicationsconclusion semicircular canal occlusion appears to be a safe and welltolerated treatment modality for intractable hscbppv however further studies with large sample sizes are needed to confirm our conclusion