Clinical Characteristics and Natural Course of Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo of Childhood: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study

Lee, Eun Jae; Ahn, Seong Ki; Hur, Dong Gu; Ko, Joon Seok

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
It is suggested that some patients with benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood (BPVC) go on to develop migraine. However, neither the natural course nor the clinical features of BPVC have been determined, and therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and the natural course of BPVC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
During the period January 2002 to December 2009, we reviewed the clinical records of 58 patients diagnosed with BPVC. All patients were approached by telephone and using a questionnaire. The clinical characteristics of vertigo, such as sex and age distribution, duration and frequency of vertigo, associated symptoms, development of migraine, and neurologic abnormalities, were analyzed.
RESULTS
Mean follow-up duration was 73.2 months (range, 31-119 months). Patients had a mean age at onset of 11.8 years and a mean duration of 6.1 years. An obvious female predilection was found, and 40% of BPVC developed to migraine had a family history of migraine. Of the 32 patients, symptoms resolved in 68.7% but were unchanged in five patients (15.6%). BPVC developed to migraine in five patients (15.6%).
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that vertigo spontaneously resolves in the majority of cases. However, the incidence of development to migraine in the BPVC patients is higher than that in general population.