Objective
To see how patients' clinical descriptions compare to the third classification of International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD‐III beta).
Background
CVS is an episodic syndrome associated with migraine. It is a rare disorder of childhood and adulthood. New criteria are proposed in the third classification of International Classification of Headache Disorders.
Methods
This study describes children and adults' CVS characteristics at a French tertiary‐care center, according to the ICHD‐II and ICHD‐III beta criteria. Clinical features, and results of paraclinical tests were characterized.
Results
Fifteen patients were included: 8 adults, 2 children, and 5 adolescents. Familial history of migraine or CVS was respectively noticed in 12 and 4 patients. The duration of premonitory, emetic, and postdromal phases was evaluated from hours to days. Some symptoms described in theses phases are also described in migrainous population, with a comparable frequency. Cranial or systemic autonomic symptoms were respectively reported in 47% and 93%. Nine patients described a circadian periodicity, and six patients described a circannual periodicity. The predictable periodicity was from 1 week to 12 months. A brain perfusion SPECT showed an increased hypothalamic perfusion during emetic phase in one patient.
Conclusions
CVS is a rare episodic syndrome associated with migraine. Some clinical features and paraclincal tests suggest a chronobiological disease.