Vertebral artery dissection onset mimics migraine with aura in a graphic designer

Headache. 2008 Apr;48(4):621-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2008.01066.x.

Abstract

Headache is the most common symptom in patients with cervical artery dissection. This symptom, however, rarely occurs in isolation, and more commonly is associated with other neurological symptoms and signs. Visual symptoms associated with vertebral artery dissection (VD) have also been observed, but do not typically mimic the migraine aura. Here, we report a young patient who presented VD, embolic ischemic lesions, and visual symptoms with the features of aura, followed by migraine headache. The suggestion of VD dissection should be kept in mind in those cases complaining of the first attack of headache that mimics migraine with aura. In these cases, an extensive neuroimaging study is advisable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Heparin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine with Aura / etiology*
  • Migraine with Aura / physiopathology
  • Vertebral Artery Dissection / complications*
  • Vertebral Artery Dissection / drug therapy
  • Vertebral Artery Dissection / physiopathology

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin
  • Aspirin