Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Roller coaster migraine: an underreported injury?
1Head and Neck Pain Program, Willis-Knighton Medical Center, Shreveport, LA, USA.
Headache
|November 25, 2000
Summary
A violent roller coaster ride triggered severe posttraumatic migraine in a 28-year-old woman. Intravenous dihydroergotamine provided immediate symptom relief, with further medication for prevention and breakthrough headaches.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Trauma Medicine
Background:
- Posttraumatic migraine is a debilitating condition that can arise after head trauma.
- Roller coaster rides involve rapid acceleration and deceleration, potentially causing brain insults.
Observation:
- A 28-year-old woman experienced severe headache, sleep disturbances, memory issues, and irritability two months post-roller coaster ride.
- Neurological examinations, including imaging and electroencephalogram, were normal.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with posttraumatic migraine.
- Intravenous dihydroergotamine provided symptom resolution.
- Preventative medications (imipramine, divalproex sodium, propranolol) and rescue medication (dihydroergotamine nasal spray) were prescribed.
Implications:
- Violent mechanical forces, such as those experienced on a roller coaster, may trigger PTM.
- Prompt and appropriate pharmacological intervention is crucial for managing PTM.
- Further research into the biomechanics of head trauma and migraine pathophysiology is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Equilibrium and Balance
The inner ear assumes dual functionalities of auditory perception and equilibrium maintenance. The vestibule is the organ responsible for balance. This organ contains mechanoreceptors, specifically hair cells, endowed with stereocilia, which aid in deciphering information regarding the position and motion of our heads. Two intrinsic components, the utricle and saccule, help perceive head position, while the semicircular canals track head movement. Neurological messages initiated in the...
01:14Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
01:29Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...