Vestibular pathways involvement in children with migraine: a neuro-otological study.
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.
Marcelli
Vincenzo
V
Audiology Unit, Department of Neuroscience And Behavioural Science, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Furia
Teresa
T
Marciano
Elio
E
D000293:Adolescent; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002150:Caloric Tests; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009759:Nystagmus, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*