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Updated: May 27, 2025
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Migraine and MRI: uncovering potential associations
Khalid Abdalla1, Khaled Z Alawneh2, Mohammad Al-Bdour3
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. kmabealla@just.edu.Jo.
Objective:
This study aims to investigate the association between patients with migraine headaches and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.
Background:
Migraine is a frequently encountered primary headache disorder with a disproportionate female predominance. Diagnosis is usually based on the patient's clinical history with neuroimaging reserved for severe or atypical presentations to exclude other pathologies. Migraine patients often experience a profound impact on their quality of life.
Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted at King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan, involving patients with a clinical diagnosis of migraine who had undergone MRI brain imaging between January 2021 to March 2023. Descriptive data were documented, with two independent neuro-radiologists interpreting MRI findings.
Results:
Our study included 670 migraine patients (510 females; mean age, 40.3 years). White matter hyperintensity lesions were found in 309 patients (46.1%), significantly affecting older age groups with a mean age of 46.8 years (p > 0.001). Additionally, gender played a role, with a higher prevalence of these lesions in female migraine patients, accounting for 79.6% (p = 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis proved age to be an independent risk factor for the presence of white matter hyperintensity lesions (OR: 1.0688, 95% CI: 1.0546-1.0831, p > 0.001).
Conclusion:
White matter hyperintensity lesions were seen in the MRI imaging of a subset of migraine patients. Patients with these lesions tend to be older and of female gender. However, the clinical significance of these findings remains unclear.
Insights
Brain MRI scans revealed white matter hyperintensity lesions in nearly half of migraine patients. These lesions were more common in older females, though their clinical significance requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Migraine is a prevalent primary headache disorder with a notable female predominance.
- Clinical history is primary for diagnosis; neuroimaging is reserved for complex cases.
- Migraine significantly impacts patients' quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between migraine headaches and findings on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- To identify demographic and imaging characteristics of migraine patients with specific MRI findings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 670 migraine patients who underwent brain MRI.
- Data collected from January 2021 to March 2023 at King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan.
- Two independent neuro-radiologists interpreted all MRI findings.
Main Results:
- White matter hyperintensity lesions were identified in 46.1% of migraine patients.
- Lesions were significantly associated with older age (mean 46.8 years) and female gender (79.6%).
- Advanced age was confirmed as an independent risk factor for white matter hyperintensity lesions.
Conclusions:
- A subset of migraine patients exhibit white matter hyperintensity lesions on brain MRI.
- Older age and female gender are associated with the presence of these lesions.
- The clinical significance of these MRI findings in migraine patients remains undetermined.
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