Question: What is a Migrainous Infarction
Answer: Migrainous infarction is a term that was originally coined by the International Headache Society to describe strokes which occur in the setting of a typical migraine attack. The word infarction, as used in this term, has the same meaning as the word stroke. Thus, this condition is also known as "migraine-induced stroke".
But not every stroke that occurs in the setting of a migraine can be called a migrainous infarction. The following characteristics must be present for a stroke to be considered a migrainous infarction:
- The migraine attack must be preceded by an aura
- The migraine attack must be similar in intensity to previous migraine attacks
- The migraine aura must persist for hours, or days
- A stroke must be seen in a CT or MRI scan
- The stroke must be located in a part of the brain which explains the symptoms of the stroke
- All other possible causes of stroke must have been ruled out
Using these strict criteria, migrainous-infarction accounts for approximately 0.8% of all strokes, but for approximately 4% of strokes that occur in people younger than 50.
Learn more about the link between migraine and stroke
Source:
Bono, G; Minonzio, G; Mauri, M; Clerici AM; Complications of migraine: migrainous infarction; Clinical and Experimental Hypertension; 2006; 28:233-242
