The Potential Link Between Abdominal Migraine and Chronic Apical Periodontitis: A Case Report

According to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, Third edition (ICHD-3), abdominal migraine is a diagnosis of exclusion, characterized by recurrent abdominal pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, anorexia, or pallor. We report a case of a 44-year-old female with abdominal migraine associated with chronic apical periodontitis. Treatment with root canal therapy and periodontal management improved both the oral condition and migraine symptoms. Chronic periodontitis may contribute to migraines via systemic inflammation and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-mediated neurovascular mechanisms. This case underscores the importance of dental practitioners identifying and managing periodontal conditions to address potential systemic effects and multifactorial orofacial pain.