VESTIBULAR MIGRAINE

- Describes current knowledge of the features of vestibular migraine
- Includes easy-to-read tables that help differentiate vestibular migraine from other conditions that cause dizziness
- Identifies the pros and cons of various treatment strategies

Vestibular Migraine is a concise monograph that presents the scientific basis for the diagnosis and treatment of this common yet largely unrecognized cause of dizziness. Current knowledge of the features of the disorder is described, and clear guidance is provided on the differentiation of vestibular migraine from other conditions that induce dizziness, including Ménière’s disease. Symptomatic treatment and the various prophylactic options are discussed and evaluated, and advice is also included on long-term treatment and the circumstances under which treatment should be discontinued.

Approximately one-third of migraineurs experience dizziness that sometimes occurs in conjunction with the headaches but often arises separately. The vestibular symptoms in this population vary in frequency, severity, and duration; they are described as spinning or lightheadedness or both and are often exacerbated by position change. Ear fullness, tinnitus, and hearing loss are frequent complaints. Vestibular migraine is diagnosed by carefully obtaining a history: there are no pathognomonic blood, urine, or imaging studies.

This book will be of interest to all physicians and other health care providers who deal with dizzy patients, including internists, family physicians, neurologists, otolaryngologists, and trainees in those specialties, as well as nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Content Level » Professional/practitioner

Keywords » Dizziness - Headaches - Imbalance - Unsteadiness - Vertigo

Related subjects » Internal Medicine - Medicine - Neurology - Otorhinolaryngology

Author
Stephen J. Wetmore, MD, MBA, holds the Romeo Yap Lim and Maria Corazon Wong Lim Chair of Otolaryngology at the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center of West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. He has been Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the university since 1988. Prior to that, he was Vice Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Chief of the Otolaryngology Section at Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Little Rock, AR. He has been a Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery since 1978 and has served on various of their committees. Dr. Wetmore is the recipient of many awards. He has appeared frequently in Best Doctors in America and in 2004 received a Distinguished Service Award from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; most recently, in 2013, he received the Presidential Citation from the American Head and Neck Society. He has served on the editorial boards of Laryngoscope and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and has authored more than 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Table of contents (6 chapters)
1.Migraine Headache
2.Diagnosis of Vestibular Migraine
3.Historical Perspective of Vestibular Migraine
4.Vestibular Migraine in Childhood
5.Treatment of Vestibular Migraine
6.Ménière’s Disease with Concomitant Vestibular Migraine