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Journal of Thoracic Disease May 2024Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been associated with migraine, cryptogenic stroke (CS), and hypoxemia. However, which examination method is most reliable remains...
BACKGROUND
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been associated with migraine, cryptogenic stroke (CS), and hypoxemia. However, which examination method is most reliable remains controversial. This study sought to investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (cU), including contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler (cTCD), contrast transthoracic echocardiography (cTTE), and contrast transesophageal echocardiography (cTEE), for PFO; and to determine the best diagnostic strategy.
METHODS
This retrospective observational study included a total of 147 consecutive patients suspected PFO at The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University between October 2019 and January 2022. The patients also underwent cTCD, cTTE, and cTEE examinations. The standard for the diagnosis of PFO was confirmation of the presence of PFO by color Doppler flow signals or contrast microbubbles (MBs) passing through the foramen ovale.
RESULTS
A total of 123 patients were diagnosed with PFO and 24 patients without PFO during the study period. The detectable rates of cTCD, cTTE, and cTEE were 120 (97.56%), 110 (89.43%), and 121 (98.37%), respectively. The sensitivity between cTCD and cTEE for PFO were comparable [97.56%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 92.5% to 99.4% . 98.37%, 95% CI: 93.7% to 99.7%; P>0.99], and the sensitivity of both were higher than that of cTTE (89.43%, 95% CI: 82.3% to 94.0%; P=0.02 and P=0.001, respectively). In addition, the specificity of cTEE for PFO was significantly higher than that of cTCD (100%, 95% CI: 82.3% to 100.0% . 75.00%, 95% CI: 53.0% to 89.4%; P<0.001) and cTTE (100%, 95% CI: 82.3% to 100.0% . 75.00%, 95% CI: 53.0% to 89.4%; P<0.001). Further, the semi-quantitative classification ability of cTCD for PFO with right-to-left shunt (RLS) was significantly higher than that of cTTE and cTEE (P=0.02 and P<0.001, respectively), and that of cTTE was significantly higher than that of cTEE (P=0.01). The Spearman analysis showed that the degree of RLS was positively correlated with the inner diameter of the PFO (r=0.695, P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The combination of cTCD and cTEE may provide a favorable strategy for the diagnosis of PFO.
PubMed: 38883615
DOI: 10.21037/jtd-24-330 -
Cureus May 2024Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (cAVMs) are developmental pathologic lesions of the blood vessels of the brain in which multiple arteries shunt blood directly into...
Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (cAVMs) are developmental pathologic lesions of the blood vessels of the brain in which multiple arteries shunt blood directly into the venous drainage network. They are lesions with an unclear etiology and, if left untreated, can bear significant risks of complications such as migraines, seizures, neurological deficits, and intracranial hemorrhages. The diagnosis is based on several imaging methods, with angiography being the primary method. Treatment modalities include microsurgery, radiosurgery, embolization with the intent of obliteration, and various multidisciplinary approaches. We aim to introduce the case of an adult female patient with symptomatic cAVM who underwent partial endovascular embolization of the lesion and evaluate her recovery and the overall reliability of her treatment modality. A 22-year-old female patient has presented to the Neurosurgery Clinic with clinical manifestations with photosensitive seizures, migraines, and a history of sleep disturbances persisting for a period of one year. An appointed MRI and angiography revealed the presence of a glomerular cAVM of the anterior parietal branch of the middle cerebral artery located within the intraparietal sulcus of the left cerebral hemisphere (Spetzler-Martin grade 2). The venous drainage of the malformation led to a loss of nutrients in the surrounding brain parenchyma (a steal phenomenon), causing the seizures. The patient successfully underwent transarterial endovascular embolization with Onyx, which proved to be partial on a postoperative angiography, and refused further embolization procedures. There were no postoperative complications to be mentioned. The patient reported no seizures or sleep disturbances at the 12-month follow-up, with sporadic weak headaches remaining. cAVMs remain a pathology with significant morbidity and mortality when undiagnosed. Symptomatic cAVMs leading to a steal phenomenon and seizures can be reliably managed via endovascular embolization alone when the malformation has an appropriate angioarchitecture, location, size, and a low Spetzler-Martin score. However, further inquiry is required into the use of partial embolization in cases where further multiple-stage embolization procedures are declined and/or complete occlusion of the lesion is unfeasible. This case report emphasizes that partial endovascular embolization can be successfully utilized as a treatment modality for the symptoms caused by a steal phenomenon of the venous drainage of a cAVM, such as seizure disorders and migraines, in the rare instance when multiple-stage embolization is declined by the patient and occlusion of the lesion remains subtotal.
PubMed: 38883140
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60499 -
Cureus May 2024A 70-year-old man presented with worsening migraines and was referred to a neurologist by their primary care doctor for further workup. Imaging and lab work were benign....
A 70-year-old man presented with worsening migraines and was referred to a neurologist by their primary care doctor for further workup. Imaging and lab work were benign. The patient then underwent several trials of various first and second-line medications and anti-migraine devices to no avail. It was not until one session of battlefield acupuncture, where five needles were placed in the patient's ear for a few days, that the patient had a resolution of his symptoms.
PubMed: 38883138
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60369 -
Cureus May 2024Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the primary vestibular disorder causing peripheral vertigo. Given the role of vitamin D in maintaining otoconia...
INTRODUCTION
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the primary vestibular disorder causing peripheral vertigo. Given the role of vitamin D in maintaining otoconia homeostasis, its deficiency may elevate the risk of BPPV. Our study seeks to evaluate the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and clinical outcomes of patients with BPPV in the local Asian population.
METHODOLOGY
We performed a retrospective analysis of 149 consecutive adult patients referred to a tertiary center's Otolaryngology dizziness clinic between 2018 and 2021. All of these patients had both BPPV and vitamin D deficiency.
RESULTS
The mean serum vitamin D level was 19.4 ± 5.5 ng/mol. Approximately 51.7% (77/149) of patients experienced recurrent episodes of BPPV. Univariate Chi-square analyses demonstrated vitamin D levels ( < 0.001) and history of migraine (= 0.04) were related to BPPV recurrence. On multivariate analyses, patients with higher serum vitamin D levels were 16.7% less likely to develop recurrent BPPV (odds ratio [OR] 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-0.90, < 0.001). However, migraine history was not significantly related to BPPV recurrence (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.14-1.00, = 0.050). There was no statistically significant difference in the duration of BPPV episodes based on vitamin D levels ( = 0.327).
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with vitamin D deficiency are at higher risk of recurrent BPPV. Future research directions that would be beneficial include conducting a randomized controlled trial to evaluate both the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation and its optimal dosage.
PubMed: 38883121
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60325 -
Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2024Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is involved in trigeminal neuralgia and migraine, and measuring the CGRP concentration in the serum is crucial for the early...
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is involved in trigeminal neuralgia and migraine, and measuring the CGRP concentration in the serum is crucial for the early prediction of these conditions. Current methods for CGRP detection are primarily radioimmunoassay, which needs radioactive substances and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) which need long detection time and some have a narrow detection range. The genes of anti-CGRP antibody variable regions were cloned into pDong1 vector to obtain pDong1/Fab-CGRP, with which phage-Fab was prepared, and the concentration of CGRP was detected by competitive ELISA. The pDong1/Fab-CGRP was modified to obtain pDong1/OS-CGRP, with which the co-expression solution containing phage-displayed heavy chain variable fragments (phage-V) and light chain was obtained. CGRP was detected by OS-ELISA based on phage-V, antibody light chain, and anti-light chain antibody. The V gene was cloned into the pMAL vector to obtain pMAL-V (CGRP), with which maltose binding protein fused with V (MBP-V) was prepared. CGRP was detected by OS-ELISA employing MBP-V and phage-V. OS-ELISAs that measure the CGRP concentration by quantifying the interaction between variable regions were investigated. OS-ELISA using phage-V and secreted light chains in the same culture system exhibited a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.05 nM, offering higher sensitivity than competitive assay with an LOD of 0.75 nM, whereas using phage-V and separately prepared MBP-V exhibited an LOD of 0.15 nM and a broader detection range of 0.15-500 nM than competitive ELISA, whose detection range was 0.75-10 nM. The combination of the two OS assays achieved high sensitivity and a broad detection range for CGRP, which may have significance in clinical applications.
PubMed: 38882635
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1395330 -
Heliyon Jun 2024Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with migraine; however, the mechanism of PFO-associated migraine is not well known; additionally, percutaneous closure is...
BACKGROUND
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with migraine; however, the mechanism of PFO-associated migraine is not well known; additionally, percutaneous closure is controversial. This study aimed to investigate in situ thrombi within the PFO and explore the possible predictors of the effectiveness of PFO closure in migraineurs.
METHODS
This prospective cohort study included 48 asymptomatic patients and 92 migraineurs with PFO. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to evaluate the PFO microstructure. Only migraineurs underwent percutaneous closure. Migraineurs were divided into two cohorts based on the presence of a thrombus within the PFO. The symptoms were assessed at the 12-month follow-up visit. Predictors were evaluated employing multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses.
RESULTS
In situ thrombi within PFO were identified in 69 migraineurs and in two asymptomatic patients (76.7 % vs. 4.3 %; P < 0.001). Additionally, endocardial irregularity, discontinuity, low signal, and spasm were found in 59 (65.6 %), 15 (16.7 %), 13 (14.4 %), and six (6.7 %) patients, respectively, in the migraine group. In situ thrombus was associated with migraine risk (OR 49.03; 95%CI 8.52-282.18; P < 0.001). At the 12-month follow-up of the migraineur cohort, the primary endpoint, a 50 % reduction in migraine frequency after closure (with or without thrombus in PFO) was met (85.3 % vs. 25.0 %; P < 0.001). In situ thrombus was associated with migraine relief (OR 6.75; 95%CI 1.28-35.56; P = 0.024).
CONCLUSIONS
In situ thrombus and abnormal endocardium within PFOs were common in migraineurs, and in situ thrombus was a risk factor for migraine. Percutaneous closure was more effective in migraineurs with thrombi within the PFO. OCT imaging improved the understanding of pathogenic PFOs and may be helpful in selecting suitable migraineurs for PFO closure.
PubMed: 38882380
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32105 -
SAGE Open Medical Case Reports 2024Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a neurological emergency in which arterial blood accumulates in the subarachnoid space with cerebral aneurysmal rupture being the most common...
Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a neurological emergency in which arterial blood accumulates in the subarachnoid space with cerebral aneurysmal rupture being the most common cause. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is often misdiagnosed in the emergency department and mortality rates range from 8% to 67%. It may be the manifestation of the chronicity of the migraine. The difference in severity or quality compared to previous headaches, and other symptoms, particularly neck stiffness, but also seizure, syncope, focal neurological deficit, and vomiting are the key factors differentiating subarachnoid hemorrhage from the migraine. We report a case of a 37-year-old female with a previous history of migraines who presented with acute onset of excruciating headaches in the occiput associated with nausea, vomiting, and photophobia in whom a non-contrast computed tomography scan of the head showed hyper-densities involving the bilateral cerebral cortical sulcus and Sylvian fissure and the cerebral angiography showed a complex aneurysm in anterior communicating artery.
PubMed: 38881976
DOI: 10.1177/2050313X241261012 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2024An association between depression and migraine has been reported in observational studies; however, conventional observational studies are prone to bias. This study aims...
BACKGROUND
An association between depression and migraine has been reported in observational studies; however, conventional observational studies are prone to bias. This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between depression and migraine and to quantify the mediating effects of known risk factors.
METHODS
We applied two-sample Mendelian randomization and utilized single nucleotide polymorphisms as genetic instruments for exposure (depression) and mediators (sleep traits). We utilized summary data on genome-wide association studies for depression, sleep-related traits mediators and migraine. For depression, genome-wide association studies (depression) were utilized as a test cohort for the primary analysis. Moreover, genome-wide association studies (major depressive disorder) were utilized to test the stability of the results for the validation cohort. IVW and MR-Egger regression were applied to test the heterogeneity, and Cochran's Q statistics were calculated to quantitatively evaluate the heterogeneity. MR-PRESSO analyses were utilized to examine and correct possible horizontal pleiotropy through removing outliers, and leave-one-out analyses were utilized to identify outlier SNPs.
RESULTS
Genetically predicted depression was associated with migraine (OR = 1.321, 95% CI: 1.184-1.473, < 0.001). Furthermore, risk factors insomnia was associated with migraine risk (OR = 1.766, 95% CI: 1.120-2.784, = 0.014). The mediator insomnia accounted for 19.5% of the total effect of depression on migraine.
CONCLUSION
These results support a potential causal effect of depression on migraine, partly mediated by insomnia. Therefore, the enhancement of sleep quality and difficulty in falling asleep may reduce the migraine burden occasioned by depression.
PubMed: 38881795
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1326817 -
Cephalalgia : An International Journal... Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Migraine Disorders; Pregnancy; Female; Registries; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 38881288
DOI: 10.1177/03331024241262486 -
Stem Cell Research Jun 2024Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from a patient diagnosed with Familial Hemiplegic Migraine Type 3, who carried a heterozygous A > C mutation...
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from a patient diagnosed with Familial Hemiplegic Migraine Type 3, who carried a heterozygous A > C mutation in the SCN1A gene and reprogrammed using CytoTune-iPS 2.0 Sendai Reprogramming Kit. The iPSC line maintained the mutation while expressing markers of pluripotency. Additionally, it exhibited a normal karyotype and demonstrated potential for in vitro differentiation into cells representing all three embryonic germ layers.
PubMed: 38880015
DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2024.103465