Vestibular migraine (VM) is a common yet frequently underdiagnosed neurological condition, marked by recurrent episodes of vertigo and other vestibular symptoms in association with migraine features. It predominantly affects women aged 30-50 years and has an estimated prevalence of 1%-5% in the general population....
No practice change is warranted from a narrative review alone, but clinicians should remain alert to vestibular migraine as a diagnosis when patients present with recurrent vertigo that does not fit classic peripheral vestibular patterns.
Vestibular migraine is one of the most common yet underdiagnosed causes of recurrent vertigo, and clearer diagnostic and treatment frameworks directly benefit audiologists and vestibular specialists managing these patients.
- 01Narrative review synthesises current evidence on vestibular migraine diagnosis and management.
- 02Vestibular migraine is highlighted as a commonly underdiagnosed neurological cause of recurrent vertigo.
- 03Addresses overlap with other vestibular disorders, complicating differential diagnosis.
- 04Reviews both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment strategies.
- 05Published in a peer-reviewed otolaryngology journal (IAO, 2025).
Vestibular migraine is a commonly underdiagnosed neurological condition causing recurrent vertigo.
opinionsupportedDiagnostic challenges exist that contribute to under-recognition of vestibular migraine.
studysupported- PMID
- 42378536
- DOI
- 10.5152/iao.2025.252042.
- Journal
- Journal of the International Advanced Otology
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 5
- Population
- Patients with vestibular migraine (narrative review; no primary patient cohort)
- Intervention
- Diagnostic and treatment strategies for vestibular migraine
Primary outcomes
Synthesis of diagnostic criteria and challenges; Summary of treatment strategies