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Published on: June 2, 2014
MRI findings in children with migraine or tension-type headache
Rabia Tütüncü Toker1, Ilknur Ozdeniz Mutlucan2, Cigdem Tanrıverdi3
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, University of Health Sciences, Bursa City Training and Research Hospital, Doganköy, Nilüfer, Bursa, +90 506 366, 3796, Turkey. rtutuncutoker@gmail.com.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children with migraine or tension-type headache revealed incidental findings, most commonly arachnoid cysts. While rare, secondary headaches can occur, making fundus examination crucial for MRI requests.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Headache Disorders
Background:
- Migraine and tension-type headaches are prevalent primary headache disorders in children.
- Children with primary headaches face a risk of developing secondary headaches.
- Evaluating neuroimaging findings is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in pediatric patients diagnosed with migraine or tension-type headache.
- To identify the prevalence and types of incidental MRI findings in this cohort.
- To understand the clinical implications of neuroimaging in childhood headaches.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 280 pediatric patients with migraine or tension-type headache.
- Patients followed in a pediatric neurology clinic for at least two years with recent neuroimaging.
- Data collection included patient demographics, headache diagnosis, and MRI results.
Main Results:
- Arachnoid cysts were the most frequent incidental MRI finding (14 cases).
- Other incidental findings included pituitary adenomas (6), mega cisterna magna (6), pineal cysts (3), gliosis (2), and one brain tumor.
- Incidental MRI findings were observed in 7.7% of migraine patients and 12.7% of tension-type headache patients.
Conclusions:
- Arachnoid cysts are common incidental MRI findings in children with primary headaches.
- The potential for rare, life-threatening secondary headaches underscores the importance of thorough evaluation.
- Fundus examination, alongside neurological assessment, can guide the decision to order MRI in pediatric headache patients.
Purpose:
Migraine and tension-type headache are common primary headaches in children. There is a risk of developing secondary headache in children. The current study was aimed to evaluate magnetic resonance imaging findings (MRI) in children with migraine or tension-type headache.
Methods:
The study was planned in children with migraine or tension-type headaches who have been followed up in the pediatric neurology outpatient clinic with regular office visits for at least two years and had neuroimaging in the last year.
Results:
280 patients (187 female patients) datas were studied. 91 (61 female patients) were followed up with the diagnosis of migraine and 189 (126 female patients) with the diagnosis of tension-type headaches. The age of patients was found to be 13.1 ± 3.4 years. Brain tumor was found in one child with tension-type headache who had papilledema. Incidental MRI findings found 7.7% and 12.7% in migraine and tension-type headache, respectively. MRI findings in the study were arachnoid cyst (14), pituitary adenoma (6), mega cisterna magna (6), pineal cyst (3), non-specific gliosis (2) and tumor (1).
Conclusion:
Arachnoid cysts were found incidental as the most common MRI finding in children with migraine or tension-type headache. The rare life-threatening secondary headache may develop in children. The fundus examination as a complement to the neurological examination can be useful for requesting MRI.
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