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Brain white matter hyperintensities in migraine: clinical and radiological correlates
Udaya Seneviratne1, Winston Chong, P H Billimoria
1Department of Neuroscience, Monash Medical Centre & Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia. udaya.seneviratne@monash.edu
Objective:
Migraine is a recognised cause of brain white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However radiological characteristics of those in migraine are not well defined. We sought to study the radiological characteristics and factors associated with WMH in migraine.
Methods:
Migraine patients who were investigated with MRI of the brain in the outpatient clinic were studied retrospectively. Two groups were delineated based on the presence or absence of WMH in MRI scans. The clinical and demographic characteristics between the two groups were compared to delineate the associations of WMH.
Results:
Forty four patients were studied, out of which 19 demonstrated WMH on MRI. Frontal lobe was involved in all subjects with WMH. Infratentorial hyperintensities were not seen in any. Subcortical and deep white matter was the commonest distribution while callosal and subcallosal lesions were very rare. Family history of migraine, increasing age, and increasing headache frequency emerged as significant associations of WMH in multivariable analysis.
Conclusions:
There are characteristic radiological features and clinical associations of WMH in migraine.
Insights
Migraine patients often show brain white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on MRI, particularly in the frontal lobe. Factors like family history, age, and headache frequency are linked to these WMH findings.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Migraine is a neurological disorder associated with brain white matter hyperintensities (WMH).
- The specific radiological characteristics of WMH in migraine patients require further definition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the radiological characteristics of WMH in migraine patients.
- To identify clinical and demographic factors associated with WMH in migraine.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of migraine patients undergoing brain MRI.
- Comparison of clinical and demographic data between patients with and without WMH.
Main Results:
- 19 out of 44 migraine patients exhibited WMH on MRI.
- WMH predominantly involved the frontal lobe, subcortical, and deep white matter.
- Family history of migraine, advanced age, and increased headache frequency were significantly associated with WMH.
Conclusions:
- WMH in migraine patients display characteristic radiological patterns.
- Specific clinical factors are associated with the presence of WMH in migraine.
