Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood: A 10-year observational follow-up

The aim of this article is to explore the progression of neurological, neuro-otological and cochlear features in benign paroxysmal vertigo (BPV) in children over time and its relation with migraine, neuro-otological and cochlear disorders in adulthood.

From January 2002 to December 2002, 15 children with BPV were prospectively recruited and then evaluated during a 10-year observational follow-up. All patients underwent detailed neurological, neuro-otological and cochlear examinations during interictal phases. Six children were also studied during ictal periods.

At first assessment, four children reported migraine with aura (MwA) and six children reported migraine without aura (MwoA). Neuro-otological examinations were abnormal in two of 15 children. Cochlear examinations were normal in all patients. During the 10-year follow-up, recurrent vestibular symptoms and/or MwA and/or MwoA have been observed in the children. Neuro-otological examinations were abnormal in three of 15 individuals during the interictal period, and abnormal in four out of six patients who were studied during the ictal period. Two patients developed cochlear signs and/or symptoms.

During the 10-year follow-up, a phenotype variability in BPV patients has been observed. Specifically, de novo cochlear signs and/or symptoms developed in children with BPV, suggesting that cochlear symptoms should be properly investigated in these patients over time.