MRI studies in basilar artery migraine

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was performed in 18 patients with non-epileptiform basilar artery migraine (BAM). In a few subjects, mild enlargement of the cortical sulci and white matter T2 weighted increased signal intensity were present. Twelve of the patients also underwent computerized tomography (CT) of the head: 6 of the latter individuals had abnormalities on their MRI not detected by CT, but their finding did not modify the pre-existing diagnosis or influence clinical management. No evidence of biologic markers (i.e. congenital anomalies of the brainstem) was encountered and no signs of prior traumatic lesions, demyelinating disease or complicating stroke. MRI is a useful but limited complementary diagnostic tool in BAM.