Familial Periodic Vertigo and Ataxia: A Case Report.
- Author:
Mi Suk KIM
1
;
Dong Wook KIM
;
Tae Hee LEE
;
Hee Jong OH
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Dong Kang Hospital, Ulsan.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- MeSH:
Acetazolamide;
Activities of Daily Living;
Ataxia*;
Brain Stem;
Diplopia;
Dysarthria;
Fatigue;
Female;
Flunarizine;
Humans;
Middle Aged;
Mothers;
Nausea;
Neurologic Examination;
Nystagmus, Pathologic;
Stress, Psychological;
Vertigo*;
Vomiting;
Young Adult
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
1998;16(1):77-82
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Familial periodic vertigo and ataxia is a rare, disabling condition of autosomal dominant episodes of vertigo and/or ataxia, sometimes associated with other brain stem symptoms such as diplopia, weakness and dysarthria. These attacks typically begin in early childhood or early adulthood, last for hours to days. Attacks may occur daily, or may be separated by longer intervals. We present a family with familial periodic vertigo and ataxia. A 20-year-old woman presented recurrent paroxysmal vertigo, nausea, vomiting and ataxia lasting for 2 to 4 hours since middle school age. Recently daily attacks disabled her from daily living activity. Neurologic examination in the attack-free interval revealed downbeat nystagmus at neutral position and bilateral gaze evoked coarse horizontal nystagmus. Her mother, 47-year-old female also had recurrent vertigo, ataxia and dysarthria lasting for 1 to 2 hours since childhood. Their symptoms are precipitated by fatigue, exertion, emotional stress and alcohol. Both patients showed good response to acetazolamide and flunarizine even though showed persistent objective nystamus
