Migraine and the vestibular system in adults.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between migraine and the vestibular system in adults. A review of the literature on migraine reveals that paroxysmal vertigo is not uncommonly associated with migraine in various temporal relationships with headache and/or other neurologic symptoms. Vertigo (or nonvertiginous dizziness) may be the chief presenting complaint sometimes masking less dramatic symptoms causing patients to be directed to an otolaryngologist. Meticulous family, past personal, and present history are necessary to produce the information leading to suspicion of the association of paroxysmal vertigo with the migraine diathesis. A careful prospective study of a large neurotologic population seems indicated to further define this relationship leading to diagnostic and therapeutic benefits. Sixteen cases are presented, six of them in detail.