Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Workup
- Author: Thangam Venkatesan, MBBS; Chief Editor: Carmen Cuffari, MD more...
Laboratory Studies
A heterogeneous group of disorders can mimic cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS), and these disorders must be excluded with systematic laboratory and radiographic testing. An analysis by Li and colleagues demonstrated 3 main categories to consider in the differential diagnoses: GI disorders, extraintestinal disorders, and idiopathic cyclic vomiting syndrome.[43]
- When evaluating for GI diseases, screening blood work should include a CBC count with differential, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and levels of hepatic transaminases, pancreatic amylase, and lipase.
- Nonanatomic renal disease can be detected using serum BUN and creatinine tests, urinalysis, and urine calcium-to-creatinine ratio.[44]
- Screening for multiple metabolic and endocrine disorders can be accomplished by assessing electrolytes, pH, glucose, lactic acid, ammonia, amino acids, ACTH, and antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
- Urinary ketones, organic acids, ester-to-free carnitine ratio, porphobilinogen, and aminolevulinic acid may also guide diagnosis in the correct direction.[44] These metabolic and endocrine tests must be obtained during the episode to detect intermittent disorders (eg, disorder of fatty acid oxidation) or heterozygote disorders (eg, partial ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency).
- Blood and urine tests must be performed before starting intravenous fluids that contain glucose or other medical treatments.
- In a postmenarchal girl, the physician must consider a beta human chorionic gonadotropin (bhCG) test for pregnancy.[44]
Imaging Studies
The following imaging studies may be indicated:
- When evaluating for GI diseases, an upper GI (UGI) with small-bowel followthrough (SBFT) radiography, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), abdominal ultrasonography, or CT and gastric-emptying scanning may provide definitive information.[44]
- When evaluating for neurologic or otolaryngologic diseases, a sinus CT scan or brain MRI should be considered.[44] CT scans may not adequately visualize the subtentorial region.
- Obstructive renal disease can be revealed with renal ultrasonography or CT imaging.[44]
- With a broad array of possible diagnoses and possible diagnostic approaches, an extensive evaluation may appear cumbersome. Olson and Li reported that UGI radiography followed by empiric antimigraine therapy for 2 months is the most cost-effective approach ($1600) for the initial treatment of recurrent episodic vomiting in children ($3020 for extensive diagnostic evaluation, and $1830 for empiric treatment alone).[45] Until prospective trials are conducted, the authors' current approach generally includes initial blood and urine screens, including metabolic screening and UGI at initial presentation.
- The presence of specific symptoms such as hematemesis, bilious vomiting, persistent headache, flank pain, acidosis, or uncharacteristically severe or atypical vomiting episodes should raise the clinician's index of suspicion of an underlying disorder and should warrant a prompt and more extensive or repeat evaluation.[45] The 4 tests with the highest yield include endoscopy, sinus radiography or CT imaging, small-bowel radiography, and head CT imaging or MRI.[44]
Other Tests
Other tests that may be indicated include the following:
- A psychological evaluation may reveal ongoing panic, anxiety, and eating disorders, and stress management may attenuate the stress triggers.[44]
- In summary, because no biochemical markers have been identified, the recent NASPHAGN guidelines suggest that physicians must initially look for alarming symptoms and tailor their work up accordingly. Suspicious symptoms include the following:
- Bilious vomiting, abdominal tenderness, and/or severe abdominal pain
- Attacks precipitated by intercurrent illness, fasting, and/or high protein meal
- Abnormal neurologic examination findings, including severe alteration of mental status, abnormal eye movements, papilledema, motor asymmetry, and/or gait abnormality (ataxia)
- Progressively worsening episodes or conversion to a continuous or chronic pattern
- Depending on the presenting symptoms and signs other than vomiting, different diagnostic approaches are recommended. In addition, certain subgroups of patients are thought to be at high risk for metabolic disorders; if the following conditions are met, early referral to a metabolic specialist or neurologist should be considered:
- Presentation younger than age 2 years (with cyclic vomiting or comorbidities below)
- Vomiting episodes associated with intercurrent illnesses, prior fasting, and/or increased protein intake
- Any neurological finding, including ataxia, dystonia, or another gait disturbance; mental retardation; or seizure disorder or acute encephalopathy (including true lethargy, severe irritability, confusion, psychosis, or rapidly changing/unstable mental status)
- Laboratory metabolic findings, including hypoglycemia, substantial anion gap metabolic acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, or hyperammonemia
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| Characteristic | Adults (n = 104) | Children (n = 147) |
| Number of ED visits per patient with cyclic vomiting syndrome (Median) | 15 (range, 1-200) | 10 (range, 1-175) |
| Number of ED visits prior to a diagnosis of cyclic vomiting syndrome (Median) | 7 (Range, 1-150) | 5 (Range, 0-65) |
| Diagnosis not made in the ED | 89 (93%) | 119 (93%) |
| Diagnosis not recognized in the ED in patients with an established diagnosis of cyclic vomiting syndrome | 84 (88%) | 97 (80%) |
| Number of different ED visited (Mean ± standard deviation) | 4.69 ± 4.72 | 2.6 ± 2.42 |
| Feature | Children | Adults |
| Age of Onset | 4.8 y (Earliest, 6 d) | 35 y (Latest, 73 y) |
| Delay in Diagnosis | 2.6 y | 8 y |
| Female-to-Male Ratio | 57:43 | 17:24 |
| Frequency | Every 2-4 wk | Every 3 mo |
| Duration (Mean) | 1-2 d (range, 1-10 d) | 6 d (range, 1-21 d) |
| Periodicity | 49% | Not reported |
| Early Morning Onset | 42% | 50% |
| Stereotypical Episodes | 99% | 85% |
| Prodrome | 72%, 1.5 h | 93% |
| Symptoms | Nausea, anorexia, pallor | Nausea, epigastric pain |
| Recovery to Oral Feeding | 6 h | 24 h |
| Relieving Factors | Deep sleep | Hot bath/shower (56%) |
| Precipitating Factors | Stress (47%), infection (31%) | Menses (57%), anxiety |
| Comorbid conditions | Anxiety | Not reported |
| Interepisodic nausea | < 6% | 63% |
| Coalescence of Episodes | Few | 50% |
| Vomiting | 6/hr at peak, bile (81%) | 8.5/hr |
| Systemic Symptoms | Pallor, salivation, listlessness | Intense thirst (33%) |
| GI Symptoms | Anorexia, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain | Abdominal pain, diarrhea |
| Neurologic Symptoms | Headache, photophobia, phonophobia, abdominal pain | Irritable, confused |
| Natural history | ≥ 28% progress to migraine | Not reported |
| Family history | 82% | 57% |
| Complications | Dehydration, esophagitis | Dehydration, esophagitis, laparotomy (18%) |
| Morbidity | 14-25 d of missed school/year | 32% completely disabled |

