Prognostic assessments of medical therapy and vestibular testing in post-traumatic migraine-associated dizziness patients

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize our clinical population of patients suffering with post-traumatic migraine-associated dizziness (PTMAD) and determine any associations with medical interventions and vestibular testing metrics to help predict response to treatments.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review.

SETTING: Tertiary referral center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The electronic medical records of 83 patients presenting to a tertiary referral center who were given a diagnosis of PTMAD and who had been treated were retrospectively reviewed. General characteristics, clinical treatment, pre- and post-vestibular therapy testing metrics, and success and failure outcomes were assessed. Patients were assigned into responder and nonresponder groups related to their headaches and evaluated at two specific time points. Medication failures and vestibular test metrics were compared to identify and predict clinical outcomes.

RESULTS: Seventy-two of 82 patients (88%) were analyzed at two time points. Use of verapamil, topiramate, gabapentin, amitryptiline, and valproic acid showed no comparative treatment benefit in responders compared to nonresponders (P = 0.294). Findings associated with successful treatments include response to initial medication (P = 0.001), final dynamic gait index (DGI) scores (P = 0.029), final vertical dynamic visual acuity test (DVAT) scores (up, 0.007; down, 0.006), and both final and change in computerized dynamic posturography-sensory organization test (CDP-SOT) scores (P = 0.001, P = 0.032). The antipsychotic quetiapine was specifically associated with outcome failures (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION: Specific prophylactic antimigraine medications were not associated with improved outcomes in PTMAD patients. Initial clinical responses and vestibular test metrics may guide physicians to predict successful outcomes.