Does Migraine Cause Chronic Microvascular Ischemia?

Posted on Sat, 22 Apr 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 22 Apr 2017 Answered on

Fri, 12 May 2017 Last reviewed on

Question :
Does trace mucosal thickening in the the right maxillary antrum or T2 hyperintensity in right frontal subcortical or chronic microvascular ischemia cause you to have constant pain on right side of head

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
T2 hyperintensity could be suggestive of migraine.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for posting your query.

I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and I would try my best to help you.

I have noted your clinical and MRI details. Based on this, you could be having migraine. T2 and FLAIR hyperintensities are commonly seen in patients with migraine, and they result from ischemia (slight lack in blood flow to the affected area).

Trace mucosal thickening in maxillary antrum is an insignificant finding and is not responsible for your symptoms.

The correct diagnosis, however, mainly hinges on the clinical presentation. In trigeminal neuralgia, there would be episodic pain lasting for a few seconds only. In migraine, on the other hand, pain can last from 4 to 72 hours each time (unless a pain-killer is taken, when it would last for shorter duration).

I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.

Wishing you good health,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (29 minutes later)

I do not think it is a migraine, because I have had this pain for over 3 weeks and the pain is constantly there. Can you please let me know if you can think of any other thing that it might be.

Thank you
XXXXXXX Couder

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Other possibilitoes to consider/exclude are TTH and temporal arteritis.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

Other possibilities to consider are tension type headache and temporal arteritis.

Tension type headache is diagnosed on the basis of history and examination.

For temporal arteritis, ESR (blood test) can be done, which is usually elevated.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng