Migraine and isolated recurrent vertigo of unknown cause.
Chronic recurrent attacks of vertigo, not associated with any auditory or neurological symptoms, are a common reason for referral to our neurotology clinic. Even after an extensive neurotological evaluation, some cases remain undiagnosed. We prospectively evaluated 72 consecutive patients who presented to the clinic with isolated recurrent vertigo of unknown cause. All patients underwent diagnostic evaluation to exclude identifiable causes of isolated recurrent vertigo. We compared the prevalence of migraine, according to the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria, in the isolated recurrent vertigo group, with a sex- and age-matched control group of orthopedic patients. The prevalence of migraine according to IHS criteria was higher in the isolated recurrent vertigo group (61.1%) than in the control group (10%; p < 0.01). Only 16.7% of patients had an abnormal vestibular function test. The most common abnormal finding was a unilateral vestibular weakness to caloric stimulation. Our results suggest that migraine should be considered in the differential diagnosis of isolated recurrent vertigo of unknown cause.
Lee
Hyung
H
Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, South Korea. hlee@dsmc.or.kr
Sohn
Sung Il
SI
Jung
Doo Kyo
DK
Cho
Yong Won
YW
Lim
Jeong Geung
JG
Yi
Sang Doe
SD
Yi
Hyon Ah
HA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014717:Vertigo / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests; D000160:Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology