Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome LT Greg Gorman
Features Diagnosed 3-6 times a year in tertiary hospitals times a year in Germany after WW2 Boys and girls equally
Age of Onset
Episodes Episodes are similar 85% have uniform length episodes 1-70 episodes per year (avg. 12) 50% have regular cycle
Course in 5 y/o girl In hours; green boxes are episodes
Course in 12 y/o girl /2 11 wks14 wks 12 wks 10.6 wks In hours; green boxes are episodes 12 th birthday 1 st day of school Parents out of town Parents went to Dineyland without her
Course in 8 y/o girl In hours; green boxes are episodes
Course in 14 y/o boy In hours; green boxes are episodes
Duration of Episodes Fleisher, 1993
Timing of Episodes Charateristic timing in 76 % Usually upon awakening or middle of night Fleisher JPGN ‘93
Associated Symptoms Epigastric pain Nausea Saliva holding Loose stools (30 %) Headache (27 %) Fever (23 %) Occasional hypertension, tachycardia
Associated Symptoms Willingness to drink water “I drink the water because sometimes vomiting helps to relieve the nausea and, as far as I know I’m going to vomit anyway, it is far less unpleasant to bring up a dilute solution than to vomit concentrated hydrochloric acid…”
Associated Symptoms Triggers (75 %) Parental conflict (most common) Non-noxious excitement (birthdays etc) URIs Others: Menstruation, hot weather, exhaustion, motion sickness, specific foods, asthma attacks
Family History IBS (67 %) (2-6x normal prevalence) Migraine (11%) Motion Sickness (46%) Type A Personality (76%) Epilepsy (6%) (10x normal prevalence)
Course Over half symptom free 1 yr later Others last decades ? End at puberty
Pathogenesis Migraine equivalent Fits pattern and family history Eipileptic equivalent Case report of 5 seizure patients with CVS pattern
Differential Diagnosis Brain Stem Glioma Obstructive Uropathy Others
Management Anti-emetics Induction of sleep Resolution with consultation alone Psychosocial support