Reversible quantitative EEG changes in a case of cyclic vomiting: evidence for migraine equivalent.
Medical experts have disputed whether childhood cyclic vomiting is a manifestation of epilepsy or a migraine equivalent. Quantitative EEG provides an objective measure of changes in brain activity during and between episodes. This paper reports reversible changes involving two episodes in a patient whose history included cyclic vomiting and emotional/behavioural problems. Abnormal delta activity seen during both episodes resolved at follow-up, when the patient asymptomatic. The brain wave changes counter the hypothesis that vomiting in these patients is psychosomatic, and support the interpretation of cyclic vomiting as a migraine equivalent.
Jernigan
S A
SA
Clinical Psychophysiologist, Functional Imaging, Inc., Topeka, Kansas 66605.
Ware
L M
LM
D000293:Adolescent; D000513:Alpha Rhythm; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003700:Delta Rhythm; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010507:Periodicity; D014839:Vomiting / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*