Magnetic resonance imaging changes in a patient with migraine attack and transient global amnesia after cardiac

Andres Fernandez1, Fred Rincon, Sean P Mazer

  • 1Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.

CNS Spectrums
|December 14, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Transient global amnesia (TGA) can manifest with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities. This case report details TGA following cardiac catheterization, linked to migraine and ischemic changes on MRI.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroradiology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a temporary memory loss syndrome with unclear pathophysiology.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in TGA are increasingly recognized but not fully understood.
  • Cardiac catheterization is a potential trigger for neurological events.

Observation:

  • A patient experienced TGA after cardiac catheterization.
  • The patient also reported a concurrent migraine headache.
  • Cerebral MRI revealed abnormalities consistent with an ischemic insult.

Findings:

  • The case links TGA, migraine, and ischemic changes on MRI.
  • This association suggests a potential ischemic mechanism in TGA under specific circumstances.
  • The findings challenge existing theories on TGA etiology.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of neuroimaging in TGA evaluation.
  • It suggests a possible link between cardiovascular procedures, migraine, and ischemic TGA.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the physiopathology of TGA and its potential ischemic basis.

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