Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) White Matter Hyperintensities in Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome With or Without Migraine.

Background: Cyclic vomiting syndrome is classified as a possible subset of migraine. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of white matter hyperintensities are well documented in migraineurs, but not in patients with cyclic vomiting syndrome. This study focuses on white matter hyperintensities in children with cyclic vomiting syndrome.

Methods: We investigated our database of outpatient medical records for the diagnosis codes associated with cyclic vomiting syndrome from January 2008 to October 2018.

Results: Brain MRIs were obtained in 31 of 185 patients (∼17%) with a diagnosis code related to cyclic vomiting syndrome. We excluded 13 of 31 patients because of the inaccessibility of images or a confounding diagnosis. Remaining patients were divided into 2 groups: 13 of 18 cyclic vomiting syndrome migraine (CVS+M), and 5 of 18 cyclic vomiting syndrome migraine (CVS-M). We found that 3 of the 13 patients in the CVSM group had migraine-like white matter hyperintensities compared to 0 of the 5 in the CVS-M group.

Conclusion: This small study suggests a possible relationship between white matter hyperintensities and CVS+M. A larger study is required to validate these findings.