Cyclic vomiting syndrome (US English) or cyclical vomiting syndrome (UK English) (CVS) is a condition whose symptoms are recurring attacks of intense nausea, vomiting and sometimes abdominal pain and/or headache. CVS can affect both children and adults. It was first described in the 19th century with one of the earliest references being that of Samuel Gee in 1882. Onset of the condition is possible at any age. Why anyone develops it is not clear. There is a strong suggestion of maternal inheritance.

CVS differs from other forms of vomiting as it is an acute condition. Sufferers may vomit six times an hour and an episode may last from 1 day to over 2 weeks, between episodes the sufferer is usually otherwise normal and healthy. The median duration of an episode is 41 hours (Li & Fleisher 1999). In approximately half of sufferers the attacks, or episodes, occur in a time related manner. Each attack is stereotypical, i.e. in any given individual their timing, frequency and severity of attacks is similar. Episodes may happen every few days or every few months. For some there is not a pattern in time that can be recognised. Some people find it hard to conceive how anyone can vomit after that length of time, as the stomach will have emptied after the first few emeses. However, acid, bile and, if the vomiting is severe, blood, may be vomited. The physical act of vomiting continues but the volume of material in the vomit is less. Some sufferers have a warning of an attack, they may experience a prodrome, usually intense nausea and pallor. The majority of sufferers, but not all can identify "triggers" that may precipitate an attack. The most common are infections (such as colds) and psychological stress both positive and negative e.g. an upcoming pleasant event such as a holiday or birthday may trigger an attack.

During an attack a sufferer may be light sensitive (photophobic), sound sensitive (phonophobic) and may take on a trance like state. Presentation at hospital with such symptoms can be mistaken for indications of substance abuse.

Diagnostic criteria

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The cause of CVS has not been determined, there are no diagnostic tests for CVS. Several other medical conditions can mimic the same symptoms, and it is important to rule these out. If all other possible causes have been excluded a diagnosis of CVS may be appropriate.

There are established criteria to aid diagnosis of CVS, essential criteria are

1. A history of three or more periods of intense, acute nausea, and unremitting vomiting lasting hours to days
2. Intervening symptom-free intervals, lasting weeks to months
3. Exclusion of metabolic, gastrointestinal or central nervous system structural or biochemical disease e.g. individuals with specific physical causes (e.g. intestinal malrotation)

Treatment

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There are no published clinical trials on treatments for CVS. There is a growing body of publications on either individual cases or experiences on cohorts of CVS patients. Treatment is usually on an individual basis, based on trial and error. The most common therapeutic strategies are for those already in an attack are maintenance of salt balance by appropriate intravenous fluids and in severe cases sedation. Having vomited for a long period prior to attending a hospital sufferers may already be severely dehydrated. Abortive therapy has limited success, but for a number of patients potent anti-emetic drugs such as ondansetron (Zofran) or granisetron (Kytril) and more recently (and under careful medical supervision) aprepitant (Emend) may be helpful in either preventing an attack, aborting an attack or reducing the severity of an attack.

The prevalence of the condition is not clear. Two published studies on childhood CVS suggest nearly 2% of school age children may have CVS. However, diagnosis is problematic and as knowledge of CVS has increased in recent years more and more cases are emerging. This suggests a tendency for underdiagnosis, and thus the true figure may be higher.

CVS may be related to migraine, CVS sufferers have a much higher number of first degree relatives who have migraine than is the case in the general population. Some CVS sufferers have symptoms similar to abdominal migraine, but in others the relationship is far less strong and they can't relate to migranous symptoms. Some suffers obtain some relief from anti-migraine treatments, but it is not universally effective.

Charitable organisations to support sufferers and their families and to promote knowledge of CVS exist in several countries.

References

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• Abu-Arafeh I. & Russell G. Cyclical vomiting syndrome in children: A population based study. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 21(4), 454-8 1995
• Fleisher DR. The cyclic vomiting syndrome described. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 21(Suppl. 1):S1–5 1995
• Fleisher DR. Empiric guidelines for the management of cyclical vomiting syndrome. ^*
• Gee S. On fitful or recurrent vomiting. St Bart's Hospital Reports 18 1-6 1882
• Li BU, Fleisher DR. Cyclic vomiting syndrome: features to be explained by a pathophysiologic model. Dig Dis Sci 44: 13S–8S 1999.
• Lindley KJ, Andrews PL. Pathogenesis and Treatment of Cylical Vomiting. J Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 41 S38-S40 2005
• Rasquin-Weber A, Hyman PE, Cucchiara S, et al. Childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders. ''Gut"" 45 (Suppl. 2):II60–II8 1999

External links

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• http://www.cvsa.org.uk The UK Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome association
• http://www.cvsaonline.org The USA/Canadian CVS association
• http://www.sicvo.it/ The Italian CVS society
• http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cvs CVS page at the US National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse, NIH Publication No. 04-4548
• http://www.national-health.org/cvs.php More information can be found on the various Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association homepages.

Diseases | Vomiting