[Acute renal failure due to cyclical vomiting syndrome]

A 29-year-old man was admitted because of recurrent episodes of vomiting.

The admission diagnosis was acute anuric renal failure. Ultrasound was unremarkable and there had been no history of renal disease. The serum creatinine concentration was 5.48 mg/dl. The urinary findings were normal. The final diagnosis was therefore of prerenal failure with dehydration. Cyclical vomiting syndrome was the working diagnosis, having excluded other possible causes.

Normal renal functions were re-established with rehydration treatment.

Cyclical vomiting syndrome is an illness characterized by recurrent bouts of vomiting, often associated with migraine but of uncertain etiology. Therapeutic options include anti-emetics and anti-migraine medication.