Vestibular Migraine in an Otolaryngology Clinic. Issue 1 (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Van Ombergen, Angelique; Van Rompaey, Vincent; Van de Heyning, Paul; Wuyts, Floris
• Is Part Of: Otology & neurotology. Volume 36:Issue 1(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Otology -- Periodicals; Ear -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Skull base -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.8005
• DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000000596
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1531-7129

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Objective</title> <p>To assess the prevalence of vestibular migraine (VM) in patients consulting to an otolaryngology clinic, the neuro-otological associated symptoms, and the effect of prophylactic antimigrainous medication on VM symptom improvement.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Study Design</title> <p>Retrospective chart review.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Setting</title> <p>Tertiary referral otolaryngology clinic.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Subjects and Methods</title> <p>We used the diagnostic criteria from the Bárány Society and the International Headache Society to allocate patients to a subgroup: VM, possible VM, and atypical VM.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Main Outcome Measure</title> <p>The prevalence of VM, percentages of associated neurotological symptoms, and percentages of effectiveness of prophylactic medication.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results</title> <p>Sixty-five (16%) patients were selected from the total patient population (n = 407) from which 4.2% were assigned to the definite VM group, 5.7% to the probable VM group, and 6.1% to the atypical VM group. We found a significantly different distribution between the groups for photophobia (<italic>p</italic> = 0.035), ear pressure (<italic>p</italic> = 0.023), and scotoma (<italic>p</italic> = 0.015). Thirty patients were administered with flunarizine and 68% responded with an improvement in VM symptoms (<italic>p</italic> < 0.001). For propranolol, 31 patients were treated and there was an improvement of symptoms in 73% (<italic>p</italic> < 0.001). Remarkable was the fact that these percentages were not significantly different between the subgroups.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>VM is a common disorder presenting in a dizziness clinic, and detailed history taking is important to assess VM-associated symptoms and thus to prevent underdiagnosis. The latter is very important because our study shows that the majority of patients, regardless of VM subtype, can benefit from a prophylactic treatment, but further prospective studies are necessary.</p> </sec> </abstract>