Temporal artery pulse amplitude wave shapes in migraineurs: a methodological investigation

This paper describes three atypical wave forms observed in temporal artery pulse amplitude recordings. Analysis of concurrent EMG records showed that two of these wave forms, spikes and spasms, were associated with muscle changes and may be regarded as artefacts. The third wave form, double peak, was not associated with EMG changes and may represent a local vascular dysfunction. Double peaks were observed to occur more frequently in migraineurs and specifically at the site of pain onset. Explanations for double peaks are discussed. It is concluded that they indicate a dysfunction in the regulation of vascular tonicity. This dysfunction is described as variable tonicity.