title: Vestibular migraine in an otolaryngology clinic: prevalence, associated symptoms, and prophylactic medication effectiveness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral otolaryngology clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prevalence of VM, percentages of associated neurotological symptoms, and percentages of effectiveness of prophylactic medication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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 (p = 0.035), ear pressure (p = 0.023), and scotoma (p = 0.015). Thirty patients were administered with flunarizine and 68% responded with an improvement in VM symptoms (p < 0.001). For propranolol, 31 patients were treated and there was an improvement of symptoms in 73% (p < 0.001). Remarkable was the fact that these percentages were not significantly different between the subgroups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: *Antwerp University Research centre for Equilibrium and Aerospace (AUREA), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; and †Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Angelique
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Ombergen
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Van Rompaey
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van de Heyning
authors.forename: Floris
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wuyts
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004244:Dizziness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005444:Flunarizine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020795:Photophobia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014717:Vertigo / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D011433:Propranolol; D005444:Flunarizine