Vestibular disorders in migrainous children and adolescents

Recurrent vertigo is a special form of migraine in childhood. It is a periodic syndrome of childhood which was previously called migraine equivalent. Thirty young patients (less than 18 years of age) with migraine and vertigo were examined by the authors. The vestibular system of the patients was examined by computer-based electronystagmography. All patients had migraine-related vestibular dysfunction. Most had spontaneous nystagmus and 86.7% had an abnormal bithermal caloric test. Other forms of migraine-associated periodic syndromes – especially abdominal pain – were found in about 25% of the patients. Approximately one-third of the patients had a family history of migraine, and about half of them had motion sickness. The cause of migraine and migraine-related vestibular disorders is still unidentified, but the origin of the attacks is believed to be located in the brainstem, especially in the pons. This fact is congruent with our results indicating that a central vestibular dysfunction can be found in patients with migraine. Received: 25 November 1999 / Accepted in revised form: 19 May 2000     

Migrainous Vertigo: Results of Caloric Testing and Stabilometric Findings

Background.— Association between migraine and vertigo has been widely studied during the last years. A central or peripheral vestibular damage may occur in patients with migrainous vertigo. Despite much evidence, at present the International Headache Society classification does not include a specific category for migrainous vertigo. Objectives.— To assess the prevalence of central and peripheral vestibular disorders and postural abnormalities in patients diagnosed as affected by definite migrainous vertigo according to Neuhauser. Methods.— Thirty patients with migraine and acute vertigo lasting from minutes to hours underwent a full otoneurological screening for spontaneous, positional, and positioning nystagmus with head‐shaking and head‐thrust (Halmagyi) tests, an audiometric examination, and videonystagmography with bithermal stimulation according to Freyss. Videonystagmographic findings were compared with those of 15 migraineurs without lifetime vertigo (group M). Next day, a static posturography was performed; posturographic results have been compared with those of a second control group of 30 healthy patients matched for age and sex (group C). Results.— In total, 14 subjects with migrainous vertigo showed otovestibular disorders; 6 subjects showed impaired vestibulo‐oculomotor reflexes (20%). Five more patients had bilateral increased responses (16.6%). Five patients showed signs of central brainstem or cerebellar disorders for altered pursuit or saccades or positional direction changing nystagmus. Stabilometric results returned higher values of Length and Surface above all when testing was performed in eyes closed conditions compared with the normal control group. The subgroup of 14 subjects with migrainous vertigo and vestibular abnormalities performed poorly in stabilometric exams and seemed to rely more on visual cues in balance control than the subgroup of 16 subjects with migrainous vertigo but without abnormalities. Discussion.— Our results indicate that vestibular functional damage may occur in all vestibular pathways; central and peripheral signs are equally represented. Our data are not inconsistent with the hypothesis that a vestibulo‐spinal dysfunction is the causal factor for the posturographic results. Moreover, the Visual Romberg Index is significant for increased visual cue dependence in migraineurs.     

Migrainous vertigo: clinical, oculographic and posturographic findings

Migrainous vertigo (MV) is accepted as a common cause of episodic vertigo. The peripheral or central vestibular localization of the deficit as well as the pathophysiology is unclear. This prospective study was designed to assess the clinical features of MV and to search for the localization of the vestibular pathology. Thirty-five patients with MV, 20 patients with migraine and 20 healthy volunteers were studied. Comprehensive neurotological tests were performed between attacks. None of the normal controls or the patients with migraine had ocular motor deficits or caloric test abnormalities. Three patients in the MV group showed saccadic pursuit (8.6%), in one of whom saccadic hypometria was also present. Caloric test results revealed unilateral caloric hypofunction in seven patients (20%). Static posturography results revealed increased sway velocity when the eyes were closed or the platform was distorted in patients with MV. These findings during the symptom-free period revealed that peripheral vestibular dysfunction was more common than a central deficit.     

Vestibular Pathways Involvement in Children With Migraine: A Neuro-Otological Study

( Headache 2010;50:71-76)
Objective.— To assess, during symptom free intervals, the clinical, audiological, and vestibular findings in a cohort of child migraine sufferers, with or without vertigo or dizziness or both.
Background.— In adults and children, dizziness and vertigo are frequently associated with migraine.
Methods.— Twenty-two child migraine sufferers with vestibular symptoms, aged 7-13 years (group A), and 18 child migraine sufferers without vestibular symptoms, aged 8-13 (group B) entered our study between January 2007 and June 2007. The characteristics of auditory functions and vestibular symptoms and signs were assessed and reviewed by a blinded physician.
Results.— The whole sample was found audiologically normal. In group A, 6 subjects had normal vestibular test results, whereas vestibular testing disclosed either peripheral or central sufferance or both, in the remaining 16 patients (73%). Twelve subjects from group B had normal vestibular test results whereas positive vestibular test results were reported in the remaining 6 subjects (33%).
Conclusions.— This single-blind work outlines the brain stem abnormalities in children with migraine in the form of direct involvement of peripheral or central vestibular pathways or both. Interestingly, some children with migraine but without vestibular symptoms also had abnormal results at vestibular testing. This could demonstrate a subclinical involvement of vestibular pathways without clinical presentation. The subjects are still being followed up to evaluate the evolution of symptomatology.     

Vertigo, Motion Sickness and Migraine

SYNOPSIS
The frequency of vestibular symptoms in 104 headache patients during the headache-free phase was studied. The group was comprised of 84 patients with migraine (24 classical and 60 common) 12 with tension and 8 with cluster headache. Fifty-four headache-free subjects served as controls. All the participants filled out a vestibular symptom questionnaire.
Patients with classical migraine reported significantly more vestibular symptoms than the controls. Specifically they had more dizzy spells (r = 0.002) and vertigo episodes (r = 0.01) not associated with the headache. They also had more frequent motion sickness spells. Of the classical migraine patients reporting motion sickness 87% experienced it at least once in 6 weeks compared to only 11% of the controls. Classical migraine patients also probably have an especially "sensitive" vestibular system, as evidenced by increased tendency to visual vertigo (r = 0.005) and significantly increased dizziness when they themselves were spinning.
The common migraine patients showed a tendency to vestibular impairment that was not statistically significant. Recent findings of vestibular function abnormalities in this group may suggest an evolving dysfunction that is not yet symptomatic. Patients with tension and cluster headache did not differ from the controls in all the vestibular symptoms studied.
In summary, our findings indicate clearly a vestibular impairment in classical migraine. The relation to "benign recurrent vertigo," problems in the relationship of the occurrence of motion sickness to migraine and the possible mechanism causing the vestibular dysfunction are discussed.     

交感神经皮肤反应检测对前庭系统性眩晕的评定价值

目的 探讨交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)对不同病因所致前庭系统性眩晕的临床评定价值.方法 将120例急性前庭系统性眩晕患者分为中枢性眩晕组70例和周围性眩晕组50例,分别行SSR检测评定,并与60名健康人(正常对照组)作对照.结果 中枢性眩晕组在急性发作期SSR潜伏期延长、波幅降低,SSR总异常率为87.1%(61/70),与周围性眩晕组及正常对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);周围性眩晕组SSR总异常率为18.0%(9/50),潜伏期和波幅改变与正常对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 前庭中枢性眩晕患者在急性发作期可出现交感神经系统功能损害,SSR检测评定可作为临床鉴别前庭中枢性眩晕和周围性眩晕的重要参考指标之一.     

交感神经皮肤反应检测对前庭系统性眩晕的评定价值

目的 探讨交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)对不同病因所致前庭系统性眩晕的临床评定价值.方法 将120例急性前庭系统性眩晕患者分为中枢性眩晕组70例和周围性眩晕组50例,分别行SSR检测评定,并与60名健康人(正常对照组)作对照.结果 中枢性眩晕组在急性发作期SSR潜伏期延长、波幅降低,SSR总异常率为87.1%(61/70),与周围性眩晕组及正常对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);周围性眩晕组SSR总异常率为18.0%(9/50),潜伏期和波幅改变与正常对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 前庭中枢性眩晕患者在急性发作期可出现交感神经系统功能损害,SSR检测评定可作为临床鉴别前庭中枢性眩晕和周围性眩晕的重要参考指标之一.     

交感神经皮肤反应检测对前庭系统性眩晕的评定价值

目的 探讨交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)对不同病因所致前庭系统性眩晕的临床评定价值.方法 将120例急性前庭系统性眩晕患者分为中枢性眩晕组70例和周围性眩晕组50例,分别行SSR检测评定,并与60名健康人(正常对照组)作对照.结果 中枢性眩晕组在急性发作期SSR潜伏期延长、波幅降低,SSR总异常率为87.1%(61/70),与周围性眩晕组及正常对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);周围性眩晕组SSR总异常率为18.0%(9/50),潜伏期和波幅改变与正常对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 前庭中枢性眩晕患者在急性发作期可出现交感神经系统功能损害,SSR检测评定可作为临床鉴别前庭中枢性眩晕和周围性眩晕的重要参考指标之一.     

交感神经皮肤反应检测对前庭系统性眩晕的评定价值

目的 探讨交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)对不同病因所致前庭系统性眩晕的临床评定价值.方法 将120例急性前庭系统性眩晕患者分为中枢性眩晕组70例和周围性眩晕组50例,分别行SSR检测评定,并与60名健康人(正常对照组)作对照.结果 中枢性眩晕组在急性发作期SSR潜伏期延长、波幅降低,SSR总异常率为87.1%(61/70),与周围性眩晕组及正常对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);周围性眩晕组SSR总异常率为18.0%(9/50),潜伏期和波幅改变与正常对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 前庭中枢性眩晕患者在急性发作期可出现交感神经系统功能损害,SSR检测评定可作为临床鉴别前庭中枢性眩晕和周围性眩晕的重要参考指标之一.     

交感神经皮肤反应检测对前庭系统性眩晕的评定价值

目的 探讨交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)对不同病因所致前庭系统性眩晕的临床评定价值.方法 将120例急性前庭系统性眩晕患者分为中枢性眩晕组70例和周围性眩晕组50例,分别行SSR检测评定,并与60名健康人(正常对照组)作对照.结果 中枢性眩晕组在急性发作期SSR潜伏期延长、波幅降低,SSR总异常率为87.1%(61/70),与周围性眩晕组及正常对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);周围性眩晕组SSR总异常率为18.0%(9/50),潜伏期和波幅改变与正常对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 前庭中枢性眩晕患者在急性发作期可出现交感神经系统功能损害,SSR检测评定可作为临床鉴别前庭中枢性眩晕和周围性眩晕的重要参考指标之一.     

交感神经皮肤反应检测对前庭系统性眩晕的评定价值

目的 探讨交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)对不同病因所致前庭系统性眩晕的临床评定价值.方法 将120例急性前庭系统性眩晕患者分为中枢性眩晕组70例和周围性眩晕组50例,分别行SSR检测评定,并与60名健康人(正常对照组)作对照.结果 中枢性眩晕组在急性发作期SSR潜伏期延长、波幅降低,SSR总异常率为87.1%(61/70),与周围性眩晕组及正常对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);周围性眩晕组SSR总异常率为18.0%(9/50),潜伏期和波幅改变与正常对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 前庭中枢性眩晕患者在急性发作期可出现交感神经系统功能损害,SSR检测评定可作为临床鉴别前庭中枢性眩晕和周围性眩晕的重要参考指标之一.     

交感神经皮肤反应检测对前庭系统性眩晕的评定价值

目的 探讨交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)对不同病因所致前庭系统性眩晕的临床评定价值.方法 将120例急性前庭系统性眩晕患者分为中枢性眩晕组70例和周围性眩晕组50例,分别行SSR检测评定,并与60名健康人(正常对照组)作对照.结果 中枢性眩晕组在急性发作期SSR潜伏期延长、波幅降低,SSR总异常率为87.1%(61/70),与周围性眩晕组及正常对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);周围性眩晕组SSR总异常率为18.0%(9/50),潜伏期和波幅改变与正常对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 前庭中枢性眩晕患者在急性发作期可出现交感神经系统功能损害,SSR检测评定可作为临床鉴别前庭中枢性眩晕和周围性眩晕的重要参考指标之一.     

交感神经皮肤反应检测对前庭系统性眩晕的评定价值

目的 探讨交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)对不同病因所致前庭系统性眩晕的临床评定价值.方法 将120例急性前庭系统性眩晕患者分为中枢性眩晕组70例和周围性眩晕组50例,分别行SSR检测评定,并与60名健康人(正常对照组)作对照.结果 中枢性眩晕组在急性发作期SSR潜伏期延长、波幅降低,SSR总异常率为87.1%(61/70),与周围性眩晕组及正常对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);周围性眩晕组SSR总异常率为18.0%(9/50),潜伏期和波幅改变与正常对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 前庭中枢性眩晕患者在急性发作期可出现交感神经系统功能损害,SSR检测评定可作为临床鉴别前庭中枢性眩晕和周围性眩晕的重要参考指标之一.     

交感神经皮肤反应检测对前庭系统性眩晕的评定价值

目的 探讨交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)对不同病因所致前庭系统性眩晕的临床评定价值.方法 将120例急性前庭系统性眩晕患者分为中枢性眩晕组70例和周围性眩晕组50例,分别行SSR检测评定,并与60名健康人(正常对照组)作对照.结果 中枢性眩晕组在急性发作期SSR潜伏期延长、波幅降低,SSR总异常率为87.1%(61/70),与周围性眩晕组及正常对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);周围性眩晕组SSR总异常率为18.0%(9/50),潜伏期和波幅改变与正常对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 前庭中枢性眩晕患者在急性发作期可出现交感神经系统功能损害,SSR检测评定可作为临床鉴别前庭中枢性眩晕和周围性眩晕的重要参考指标之一.     

交感神经皮肤反应检测对前庭系统性眩晕的评定价值

目的 探讨交感神经皮肤反应(SSR)对不同病因所致前庭系统性眩晕的临床评定价值.方法 将120例急性前庭系统性眩晕患者分为中枢性眩晕组70例和周围性眩晕组50例,分别行SSR检测评定,并与60名健康人(正常对照组)作对照.结果 中枢性眩晕组在急性发作期SSR潜伏期延长、波幅降低,SSR总异常率为87.1%(61/70),与周围性眩晕组及正常对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);周围性眩晕组SSR总异常率为18.0%(9/50),潜伏期和波幅改变与正常对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 前庭中枢性眩晕患者在急性发作期可出现交感神经系统功能损害,SSR检测评定可作为临床鉴别前庭中枢性眩晕和周围性眩晕的重要参考指标之一.     

Treatment of vertigo

Vertigo is the illusion of motion, usually rotational motion. As patients age, vertigo becomes an increasingly common presenting complaint. The most common causes of this condition are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, acute vestibular neuronitis or labyrinthitis, Ménière's disease, migraine, and anxiety disorders. Less common causes include vertebrobasilar ischemia and retrocochlear tumors. The distinction between peripheral and central vertigo usually can be made clinically and guides management decisions. Most patients with vertigo do not require extensive diagnostic testing and can be treated in the primary care setting. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo usually improves with a canalith repositioning procedure. Acute vestibular neuronitis or labyrinthitis improves with initial stabilizing measures and a vestibular suppressant medication, followed by vestibular rehabilitation exercises. Meniere's disease often responds to the combination of a low-salt diet and diuretics. Vertiginous migraine headaches generally improve with dietary changes, a tricyclic antidepressant, and a beta blocker or calcium channel blocker. Vertigo associated with anxiety usually responds to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.     

Migraine-associated Dizziness

We reviewed the clinical histories, examinations and results of quantitative vestibular testing in 91 patients with migraine-associated dizziness. Nausea and vomiting, hypersensitivity to motion and postural instability accompanied the dizziness. In the majority of patients, the temporal profile of the dizziness was more typical of the headache phase of migraine than of the aura phase. Nineteen patients (20.9%) had unilateral hypoexcitability to caloric stimulation, which represents a modestly increased risk of damage to the peripheral vestibular apparatus. We propose two separate pathophysiologic mechanisms for the production of dizziness with migraine: Short-duration vertiginous attacks lasting minutes to 2 hours and temporally associated with headache are due to the same mechanism as other aura phenomena (spreading wave of depression and/or transient vasospasm). Longer-duration attacks of vertigo and motion sickness lasting days, with or without headache, result from the release of neuroactive peptides into peripheral and central vestibular structures, causing an increased baseline firing of primary afferent neurons and increased sensitivity to motion.     

伴单侧外周前庭受损的头晕/眩晕患者的临床分析

目的:探讨伴单侧外周前庭受损(UPVD)的头晕/眩晕患者的病因学、临床特征及相关危险因素。方法:连续收集我院神经科门诊就诊的伴UPVD的头晕/眩晕患者148例为病例组,同期收集我院健康体检门诊年龄、性别相匹配的187例健康人为对照组。收集2组研究对象的基线资料,分析伴UPVD的头晕/眩晕患者的病因及伴发疾病分布,应用多元Logistic回归分析伴UPVD的头晕/眩晕患者的独立危险因素。结果:148例伴UPVD的头晕/眩晕患者年龄9~86岁,男:女约为1:2。可以头晕(74.3%)或眩晕(25.7%)起病,分原发性(23.0%)和继发性/伴发性(77.0%)。原发性伴UPVD的头晕/眩晕患者包括急性原发单侧前庭病、发作性原发单侧前庭病、慢性原发单侧前庭病;继发/伴发性伴UPVD的头晕/眩晕患者包括良性阵发性位置性眩晕、持续性姿势-感知性头晕、可能的迷路卒中、慢性缺血性单侧前庭病可能、内耳缺血性发作性前庭病变可能、前庭性偏头痛、梅尼埃病、前庭神经元炎及迷路震荡。多元Logistic回归分析提示高血压、高脂血症是伴UPVD的头晕/眩晕患者的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论:神经科门诊伴UPVD的头晕/眩晕患者常伴有动脉粥样硬化危险因素。病因诊断较为困难,病因不明最为多见,其次多因伴发良性阵发性位置性眩晕、持续性姿势-感知性头晕和可能的迷路卒中而就诊。     

Horizontal Direction‐Changing Positional Nystagmus and Vertigo: A Case of Vestibular Migraine Masquerading as Horizontal Canal BPPV

Episodic positional vertigo is typically due to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) but may also be a manifestation of vestibular migraine. Distinguishing vestibular migraine from BPPV is essential since the treatment of each disorder is markedly different. The 31‐month clinical course of a 41‐year‐old woman with vestibular migraine causing recurrent positional vertigo is described. During vestibular migraine attacks, she developed left‐beating nystagmus in the upright position with removal of fixation, and geotropic horizontal nystagmus during the supine roll test. Interictally, her exam demonstrated positional apogeotropic horizontal nystagmus with the supine roll test, more intense in the supine head left position. Her vestibular migraine was successfully controlled with topiramate and eletriptan.     

Migraine-related vertigo: Diagnosis and treatment

A comprehensive review of the neurotologic manifestations of migraine is presented, focusing on the most recent publications regarding the epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of migraine-related vertigo (MV). A strong association exists between vertigo and migraine, with MV being the most common cause of spontaneous (nonpositional) episodic vertigo. Symptoms can be quite variable among patients and within individual patients over time, creating a diagnostic challenge. MV generally presents with attacks of spontaneous or positional vertigo lasting seconds to days with associated migrainous symptoms. Operational diagnostic criteria have been proposed but are not included in the most recent International Headache Society classification of migraine. Better elucidation of the neurologic linkages between the central vestibular pathways and migraine-related pathways and the discovery of ion channel defects underlying some causes of familial migraine, ataxia, and vertigo have furthered the understanding of MV pathophysiology. Treatment of MV currently parallels that of migraine headache, as proper studies of optimal MV management are just beginning.