Migraine and Intracranial Vascular Malformations

Abstract

The relationships between migraine and A-V Malformations is a subject of controversy and the arguments are mainly based on case reports and retrospective data. To clarify this subject a structured inquiry and classification of headaches in large samples of patients with intracranial vascular malformations (IVM) is essential. The authors studied the prevalence of headaches in 51 patients with IVM admitted to our Department, between 1984 and 1992. The methods used were a review of medical records followed by a self-administered headache questionnaire and clinical interview using the IHS criteria for the diagnostic classification of headaches. The relative frequency of the different types of headaches was calculated and compared with the general population data. A correlative study of the headache characteristics with the type and location of the IVM was made. A high prevalence (47%) of migraine type headaches and a strong positive correlation (88.8%) between the site of AVM and side of the pain was found. This is highly suggestive but not conclusive of a pathophysiologic relationship between these entities. The conclusion drawn is that a prospective study of headaches by questionnaire or semi-structured clinical interview in patients with IVM is essential to discover the effective prevalence and characteristics of headaches associated with IVM and their relationships.

Migraine comorbidity: from genotype to phenotype

“…Comorbidity of migraine with other disorders raises tantalizing questions about the underlying pathophysiology and the possibility of shared pathways. Migrainous symptoms, with or without an associated aura, can occur with a variety of acquired or structural brain disorders, such as infectious or inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) conditions, vascular malformations [16], and symptomatic epilepsy [17]. Though the observation was made long ago, the association of migraine and epilepsy remains controversial based on prevalence studies [18].…”

Æðaflækjur í heila - yfirlitsgrein

“…ið stöðugur, komið í köstum og verið öðrum megin eða báðum megin í höfðinu, og líkist gjarnan mígrenihöfuðverk. 13 …”

Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations

“…The next most common presenting feature is seizure, with 24-36% of patients presenting with generalized or partial seizures. Other reasons for presentation include focal neurologic deficit [52], headache [53][54][55], or as incidental imaging findings in asymptomatic patients [56,57].…”