Basilar artery migraines
Overview
A rare condition characterized by headache associated with a variety of neurological symptoms. The condition is caused by a disturbance of the basilar artery which is located in the brainstem.
Symptoms
* Headache * Double vision * Poor muscular coordination * Vertigo * Ringing in the ears * Problems in hearing * Prickly feeling in the body * Sensitivity to light and sound * Jerky eye movements * Slurred speech * Problems in thinking clearly
Causes
The cause of migraine is unknown. The condition may result from a series of reactions in the central nervous system caused by changes in the body or in the environment. There is often a family history of the disorder, suggesting that migraine sufferers may inherit sensitivity to triggers that produce inflammation in the blood vessels and nerves around the brain and scalp, causing pain.
Diagnosis
A differential diagnosis for this condition should include cerebrovascular disease, Arnold-Chiari malformations, posterior fossa tumors, hyperventilation syndrome, and a variety of metabolic disorders. Metabolic disorders considered in the differential diagnosis include homocystinuria,
Treatment
A host of treatments are available for treating Basilar Artery Migraine including Tri-cyclic antidepressents like amitriptylene, beta-blockers such as propranolol, calcium channel blockers, and anti-convulsants like depakote among others.