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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Brain stem and cerebellar hyperintense lesions in migraine
Mark C Kruit1, Lenore J Launer, Michel D Ferrari
1Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, The Netherlands. m.c.kruit@lumc.nl
Stroke
|February 25, 2006
Summary
Migraine patients show a higher prevalence of infratentorial hyperintensities, particularly in the pons, compared to controls. This finding highlights vulnerable brain regions in migraineurs and suggests potential ischemic causes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Vascular Neurology
Background:
- Migraineurs have an elevated risk for cerebellar infarcts and supratentorial white matter lesions.
- The occurrence and characteristics of infratentorial lesions in migraine remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence, frequency, and distribution of infratentorial hyperintense lesions in individuals with migraine.
- To compare infratentorial lesion patterns between migraineurs and a control group.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate 295 migraineurs (161 with aura, 134 without aura) and 140 controls.
- Participants were adults aged 30 to 60 years from a population-based sample.
Main Results:
- Infratentorial hyperintensities were found in 4.4% of migraineurs versus 0.7% of controls (P=0.04).
- Most lesions were bilateral and located in the dorsal basis pontis.
- Individuals with infratentorial hyperintensities were more likely to also have supratentorial white matter lesions.
Conclusions:
- This study reveals an increased prevalence of infratentorial (primarily pontine) hyperintensities in the general migraine population.
- These findings expand our understanding of brain regions susceptible to lesions in migraine.
- A hemodynamic ischemic mechanism is suggested, warranting further investigation.
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