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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

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Published on: June 2, 2014
Vanishing cerebellar infarcts in a migraine patient
1Michigan Head-Pain and Neurological Institute, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA. tdrozmigraine@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Recent population-based studies have suggested that migraine is a risk factor for the development of infarct-like lesions in the territory of the posterior circulation. These lesions are thought to be true vascular infarcts based on their size, location and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics. However, as there are no postmortem studies identifying the pathology of these MRI findings, their true aetiology is unknown. A case patient with migraine is presented, who developed what appeared to be cerebellar infarcts on MRI, but these lesions vanished on repeat imaging 16 days later, questioning their aetiology as vascular ischaemic based infarcts.
Insights
Migraine may be linked to posterior circulation lesions. However, a case study showed these lesions can disappear, suggesting they may not be vascular infarcts.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Neurology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Population studies suggest migraine is a risk factor for posterior circulation infarct-like lesions.
- Lesions are presumed vascular infarcts due to MRI characteristics.
Observation:
- A patient with migraine presented with cerebellar lesions on MRI.
- These lesions resolved completely on imaging 16 days later.
Findings:
- The transient nature of these lesions questions their classification as true vascular infarcts.
- The aetiology of these MRI findings in migraine patients remains unknown.
Implications:
- This case challenges the current understanding of migraine-associated posterior circulation lesions.
- Further research, including postmortem studies, is needed to determine the true pathology.
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