Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Patients with Migraine

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Patients with Migraine

Abstract

Background: Migraine is a common disabling brain disorder. Headache accounts for 4.4% of all consultations in general practice, approximately 5% of all medical admissions to hospital, and approximately 20% of neurology outpatient consultations. Hence, the present study was undertaken for assessing the MRI findings in patients with migraine. Subjects and Methods: A total of 5 patients with migraine headache were included in the present study. Complete demographic details of all the patients were obtained. Thorough clinical examination was carried out and routine hematological and other biochemical investigations were also done. Patients underwent MRI investigations. Imaging was performed using a head coil with patient in a supine position. All the MR imaging examination were performed on a Seimens Avento 1.5 Tesla Magnet MR System, slice thickness was 4-5mm with an inter slice gap of 0.5mm. MR imaging findings were compiled as per proforma and subjected to analysis using SPSS software. Results: Out of 5 migraine patients, significant abnormal MRI findings were present in 40 percent of the patients. One patient showed T2and T2 FLAIR Hyperintensities in subcortical white matter in frontal region. In the second patient with migraine, MRI finding revealed an area of diffusion restriction in left basal ganglia region which was hypointense on T1, T2 FLAIR and Hyperintense on T2 consistent with chronic infarct. Conclusion: Migraine headache patient occasionally have abnormal MRI findings to explain their headaches. Neuroimaging of headache sufferers in the general population yields few findings of clinical importance.