Vertebrobasilar artery elongation in migraine-a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Numerous but inconclusive findings have sparked an ongoing debate about whether the arteries of migraine patients undergo vascular alterations. The outlet angle of the superior cerebellar artery (SUCA) and the lateral displacement of basilar arteries are good surrogate parameters for determining elongation of the vertebrobasilar arteries.

METHODS:

We retrospectively determined the SUCA outlet angle and the lateral displacement of the basilar artery in 63 patients with migraine (30.6 ± 8.9 years, 84% women, 16% chronic migraine, 60% migraine with aura) and compared these with 126 age- and sex-matched control subjects.

RESULTS:

In patients with migraine, the SUCA outlet angle was lower (159 ± 26° vs. 169 ± 29°, p = 0.020) and the lateral displacement of the basilar artery was greater (3.7 ± 2.7 mm vs. 2.8 ± 2.4 mm, p = 0.020) than in the control subjects. Age, gender, migraine characteristics and presence of any cardiovascular risk factors did not affect the SUCA outlet angle or lateral displacement of the basilar artery.

CONCLUSION:

Migraine patients exhibited a lower SUCA outlet angle and greater lateral displacement of the basilar arteries. Both may be attributable to the elongation of the vertebrobasilar arteries, which is an indication of arterial wall pathology in migraine.

• Authors: Ole Hensel, Philipp Burow, Torsten Kraya, Dietrich Stoevesandt, Steffen Naegel
• Journal: Acta neurologica Belgica (Acta Neurol Belg) Vol. 123 Issue 2 Pg. 441-450 (Apr 2023) ISSN: 2240-2993 [Electronic] Italy
• PMID: 35906498 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Basilar Artery (abnormalities, diagnostic imaging, pathology, physiopathology)
• Cardiovascular Diseases (etiology)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Migraine Disorders (complications, diagnostic imaging, pathology, physiopathology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Factors