Clinical characteristics and treatment choice in vestibular migraine

L. Power, W. Shute, B. McOwan, K. Murray, D. Szmulewicz

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36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This retrospective review aims to survey the clinical characteristics and management of vestibular migraine (VM) patients seen in a tertiary hospital multi-disciplinary balance disorders clinic, and how this aligns with the evidence base in the literature. A single investigator reviewed the medical records of the patients who presented to a tertiary hospital balance disorders clinic over a four month period and identified 90 cases of VM. The mean age of patients with a diagnosis of VM was 50 years (range of 17–84) and 72 (80%) were female. Vertigo (96%) and headache (60%) were the predominate symptoms. Vestibular function testing abnormalities included six (5%) with a positive video head impulse test and seven (6%) with oculomotor abnormalities. Pizotifen (30%) and amitriptyline (21%) were the two most commonly used medications whilst only 14 (16%) received vestibular physiotherapy. This study suggests that VM is a very common presentation to a tertiary balance disorders clinic, but there is little consensus in choice of initial management and vestibular rehabilitation is underutilized. This data may be valuable in informing the practice of neuro-otology as well as in the planning of future service provision.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)50-53
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Clinical Neuroscience
Volume52
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Headache
  • Migraine
  • Vertigo
  • Vestibular

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