Cyclic vomiting syndrome: case report and short review of the literature

Acta Clin Belg. 2012 Mar-Apr;67(2):123-6. doi: 10.2143/ACB.67.2.2062642.

Abstract

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a functional disorder that is considered to be a manifestation of migraine diathesis. It is characterized by stereotypical episodes of severe nausea and vomiting lasting several hours or days, with return to baseline health between episodes. CVS is still an insufficiently known syndrome among physicians, and is therefore often misdiagnosed. Treatment focuses on the different phases of CVS, with interepisodic prophylaxis, abortive therapy in the prodromal phase of CVS, and supportive care during an acute vomiting episode. Anti-migraine medications have been effectively used for prophylaxis in many patients. We report a case of CVS successfully treated with flunarizine, a non-selective calcium antagonist.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Flunarizine / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Vomiting / diagnosis*
  • Vomiting / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Flunarizine

Supplementary concepts

  • Familial cyclic vomiting syndrome