Available for free download at BPPVViewer.com, this model created by Michael Teixido MD will allow clear analysis of many different problems encountered by clinicians interested in BPPV. It is intended for investigators, clinicians and students to improve visualization and communication.

Based on human membranous labyrinthine anatomy obtained from histologic sections, the BPPV Viewer can be used for analysis in 2D mode. The creation of the 3D BPPV model in a 3D environment ensures the configuration accuracy of the model. Histologic segmentations were initially loaded into Amira 5.2.2 and the segmented surfaces were colored and smoothed using Unity software. Unity allows export of limited customizable working environments for iOS and Windows. This functionality was utilized to create the viewer.

This model will allow clear analysis of many different problems encountered by clinicians interested in BPPV. It can be used for consideration of simultaneous phenomenon in multiple canals and on both sides in addition to unilateral phenomenon alone. Crista planes are visible in the model and may be helpful in understanding cupulolithiasis and light cupula.

A clear model allows distinctions to be made between predicted phenomena and observed clinical phenomena. The model is based on a single membranous labyrinth from a term infant that was segmented from histologic sections, cloned, and positioned based on known anatomic norms relative to an adult skull segmented from MRI data.