Transcranial Doppler sonography in familial hemiplegic migraine

Cephalalgia. 1991 Feb;11(1):29-31. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1991.1101029.x.

Abstract

A patient affected by familial hemiplegic migraine underwent Transcranial Doppler Sonography twice: the first during a spontaneous attack with right hemiparesis and aphasia, the second during a headache-free period. During the attack the following haemodynamic changes were seen: (a) bilateral increase in the middle cerebral artery and anterior cerebral artery blood flow velocities (this increase was more pronounced on the left side), (b) decreased systo-diastolic ratio and pulsatility index on the right side, (c) increased systo-diastolic ratio and pulsatility index on the left side. Our results indicate that during the attack in this familial hemiplegic migraine patient a diffuse vasoconstriction of the basal cerebral arteries developed. Moreover, Transcranial Doppler Sonography data suggest that a prolonged vasoconstriction of the peripheral arterioles could play a role in determining the neurological symptoms in this syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation*
  • Echoencephalography / methods*
  • Hemiplegia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hemiplegia / genetics
  • Hemiplegia / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Migraine Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
  • Migraine Disorders / genetics
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology*