Cyclic Vomiting With Generalized Epileptiform Discharges Responsive to Topiramate Therapy

Cyclic vomiting syndrome is a disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of vomiting and intervals of normal health between vomiting episodes averaging 2-4 weeks. It has been described by a variety of names such as abdominal migraine, abdominal epilepsy, and periodic syndrome but now has been classified in the subgroup of childhood periodic syndromes that are commonly precursors of migraine. Topiramate is an antiepileptic drug used both in the treatment of epilepsy and in migraine prophylaxis. This report presents a child with cyclic vomiting syndrome with generalized epileptiform discharges who responded to topiramate therapy. The common features of epilepsy, migraine, and cyclic vomiting syndrome are discussed.