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Anatomical variants of the circle of willis and brain lesions in migraineurs.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21515511     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Background: Some reports demonstrated vascular alterations in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in migraineurs and a relationship between circle of Willis (Circle) variants and lacunar brain infarcts. We examined anomalies of the whole circle of Willis and their relationship with vascular brain lesions in migraineurs, to identify any possible vascular mechanism in migraine. Methods: We studied, with a cohort controlled study, the circle of Willis in migraineurs seen consecutively in our Headache Center, and in non-headache controls, using angio-MRI of the brain. Statistical analysis used ANOVA, Scheffè's criterion, t-student test. Results: We recruited 270 migraineurs (204 without aura (MWOA), 66 with aura (MWA) and 159 controls. Migraineurs presented an anatomical variant in 108 (40%) cases with 34 controls (21.4%) presenting a variant. We found a significant association between MWOA and variants (OR=2.4 CI95% [1.5 to 3.9]) and between MWA and variants (OR=3.2 CI95% [1.6 to 4.1]). Unilateral posterior variants with basilar hypoplasia are statistically associated only with MWA compared to controls (OR=9.2, CI95% [2.3 to 37.2]). Thirty-three percent of MWOA and 24% of MWA sufferers present some kind of brain lesion, included 2% of infra-tentorial lesions. We did not find any statistical association between the presence of Circle variants and ischemic lesions on MRI (OR=1.5 CI95% [0.68; 1.94]), or with infratentorial lacunar lesions (OR=1.58 CI95% [0.48 to 5.24]). Conclusions: Anatomical variants of the Circle of Willis are significantly more frequent in migraineurs; posterior anomalies are more frequent in MWA, suggesting a vascular mechanism provoking changes in cerebral blood flow, thereby stimulating cortical spreading depression.
Authors:
C Cavestro; L Richetta; M R L'episcopo; E Pedemonte; S Duca; C Di Pietrantonj
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Canadian journal of neurological sciences. Le journal canadien des sciences neurologiques     Volume:  38     ISSN:  0317-1671     ISO Abbreviation:  Can J Neurol Sci     Publication Date:  2011 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-04-25     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0415227     Medline TA:  Can J Neurol Sci     Country:  Canada    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  494-9     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, San Lazzaro Hospital, Alba.
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