Migraine with aura and TCD bubble-test: The significance of positive result
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Background/Aim:
The association between the right-to-left shunt (RLS) and migraine with aura (MA) has been proven so far. The aim of this study was to determine if the presence of RLS detected as a result of transcranial doppler (TCD) bubble-test, makes any difference in clinical presentation, aura and headache in patients with MA.
Methods:
A single-group descriptive study was conducted on 153 patients diagnosed with MA. TCD bubble-test was performed on 135 of them. The recorded demographic and clinical features of patients were analyzed and compared with the results of the TCD bubble test.
Results:
In the group of 135 patients, 88 (65.2%) had positive TCD bubble-test. The difference in the investigated clinical features of patients of the patients and aura between the patients with and without RLS, was not found.
Conclusion:
The results of our study confirm a high prevalence of right-to-left shunt in patients with MA, but the clinical relevance of this association was not shown.
