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Magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with migraine headache
Magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with migraine headache
Juan F. Arguello 1, Guadalupe Comadran 1, Diego Miñarro 1, Federico Olivera 1, Jorge Funes 1, Manuel Pérez-Akly 1
1 Diagnóstico por Imágenes, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
*Correspondence: Juan F. Arguello. Email: jfacundo.arguello@hospitalitaliano.org.ar
Abstract
Introduction: Migraine is a disorder characterized by episodic headache attacks associated with other neurological symptoms in some patients.
Objective: Describe the imaging findings in patients who meet the criteria for migraine, using conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in order to evaluate its usefulness in the diagnosis of this pathology.
Method: Retrospective study. Patients with a diagnosis of migraine according to established criteria who had undergone brain MRI between 2010 and 2021 were included. Clinical data and imaging findings were recorded.
Results: A total of 376 patients were included, 327 (87%) were female. The median age was 39 years (IQR: 27-54). Foci of gliosis were found in 94 patients (25%). Intracranial aneurysms were found in 18 patients (4.8%). In 12 patients (3.2%) we found cerebellar tonsil descent > 3 mm. In 13 patients (3.5%) expansive lesions were found; the most frequent were meningiomas (n = 5). Lack of response to treatment (chronic migraine) was significantly associated with gliosis foci (p = 0.017) and with cerebellar tonsil shrinkage (p = 0.036).
Conclusions: The presence of gliosis foci and cerebellar tonsil descent correlated with a lack of response to migraine treatment.
Keywords: Headache. Migraine disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging.
