Vascular headache: a presenting symptom of multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroimmunology

Background:

• Vascular headaches, specifically migraine-type, are not typically considered a primary symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS).
• MS is a chronic neurological disease affecting the central nervous system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the occurrence of migraine-type headaches as a presenting symptom or exacerbation in patients with multiple sclerosis.
• To determine the frequency and characteristics of migraine-type headaches in an MS cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records from 1,113 patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis between 1967 and 1987.
• Identification of cases where migraine-type headaches preceded or coincided with the initial MS attack or subsequent exacerbations.

Main Results:

• Forty-four out of 1,113 MS patients experienced migraine-type headaches heralding their disease onset or exacerbations.
• Twenty-seven patients had no prior history of migraine; 12 of these presented with simultaneous headache and MS symptoms.
• Twenty-three patients with migraine-type headaches also exhibited symptoms suggestive of a posterior fossa mass lesion.

Conclusions:

• Migraine-type headaches can be an unrecognized presenting symptom of multiple sclerosis.
• The findings suggest a potential link between migraine-type headaches and MS, warranting consideration in differential diagnoses.
• Further research is needed to explore the underlying pathogenesis and clinical significance.