Computerized axial tomography findings in a group of patients with migrainous headaches

Cala, L.A. and Mastaglia, F.L. (1976) Computerized axial tomography findings in a group of patients with migrainous headaches. Proceedings of the Australian Association of Neurologists, 13 . pp. 35-41.

Abstract

Computerized axial tomography of the cranium has been carried out in 46 patients referred because recurring migrainous headaches. Increasing frequency or severity of headaches or a change in headache pattern were the usual reasons for referral. Abnormalities were found in 37 cases and fell into 4 categories. The most frequent (21 cases) consisted of a mild degree of oedema in the white matter of one or both cerebral hemispheres. This was usually bi-frontal (15 patients) but was more extensive in 2 patients. Varying degrees of cerebral atrophy, as determined by widening of the Sylvian, brain-stem and interhemispheric cisterns, and/or widening of the third and lateral ventricles as compared to a group of normal scans, was found in 8 cases. Areas of occipital infarction were found in 4 patients with permanent visual field defects. Unexpected small areas of infarction were found in the temporal lobe in 2 other cases. Cerebral tumours were found in 2 cases. The significance of these findings is discussed, as well as the possible role of migrainous vaso-spasm with consequent changes in cerebral blood flow in the pathogenesis of oedema and atrophy in migraine subjects.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publisher:	Australian Association of Neurologists
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/26100

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