Pediatric fibromyalgia and dizziness: Evaluation of vestibular function

Twelve children with fibromyalgia and complaints of chronic dizziness were evaluated with both clinical office maneuvers of vestibular function and la boratory tests composed of electronystagmography and sinusoidal harmonic ac celeration rotary chair testing. All test results were normal for spontaneo us nystagmus with or without visual fixation, oculocephalic reflex, dynamic visual acuity, head-shaking nystagmus, Quix test, and Dix-Hallpike maneuve r. Electronystagmography test results were essentially normal for saccades, gaze, Dix-Hallpike, pendular tracking, and caloric evaluation. Rotary chai r testing was normal in all 12 patients. These findings suggest that centra l (brainstem) and peripheral vestibular (inner ear) mechanisms do not accou nt for the complaints of dizziness in the pediatric patient with fibromyalg ia. The common musculoskeletal abnormalities of fibromyalgia may affect the ir proprioceptive orientation, therefore giving them a sense of imbalance.