Dear Debbie:
A MRI and MRI will NOT detect any type of migraine. Basilar migraine is a clinical diagnosis based on signs and symptoms.
Your neurologist is the person to talk to about prognosis. He/She has a definite opinion about it basilar migraine. Usually, the usual migraine medications take care of the problem.
In the over 3000 children with migraines in our practice, we have not seen basilar migraine with such frequency. But that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. With the frequency of every other day, I would think that prophylaxic medication is best for your daughter. Vertebral basilar insufficiency is a very common entity in the older population, especially with diabetes. In a ten year old the etiology would be different and likely a congenital defect in the vertebral/basilar artery. There is no such entity as a vertebral vein defect causing neurological changes.
CCF Neuro MD
They said she had Basilar Artery Migranes My question when she has an mri and mra will this show up on either of these to confirm this is the correct diagnosis. Also I have the question if you could answer if this is it what is the long term prognois and what changes of lifestyle will she need to make? I am sorry when the neurologist told me about this yesterday I did not ask alot of questions since I had never even heard of this. He thought it was this due to the frequency of the attacks and that they normally do not last more than 30 to 40 minutes. He said it also could be Vertebal vein which I have no information on.
Dear Debbie:
Migraines do not happen every other day. Basilar migraines should have been discussed by the neurologist, what did he/she tell you? Migraines are caused by what we think are neurotransmitter imbalances that induce vascular changes. The basilar artery is involved in basilar migraine and when it happens some get slurring of speech, visual changes, intense occiptial area pain, and imbalance in gait. Migraines are not caused by changes in the venous system. He/she may have meant vestibular-basilar insufficiency. This is usually due to athrosclerosis of the posterior circulation, one sees imbalance, nausea, vomiting, and vision changes.
CCF Neuro MD
The neurologist had a cancellation and we went in today They said it could be basilar migrane headaches or a vertibelar artery vein They have scheduled an MRI and MRA The neurologist examination showed no other signs They are stumbed Would you please give me more information on both the items above? They also puut her on medication Amitriptyline 25 mg to take before bed every night please give me information on this medication
The neurologist had a cancellation and we went in today They said it could be basilar migrane headaches or a vertibelar artery vein They have scheduled an MRI and MRA The neurologist examination showed no other signs They are stumbed Would you please give me more information on both the items above? They also puut her on medication Amitriptyline 25 mg to take before bed every night please give me information on this medication
Dear Debbie Heaton:
Sorry to hear about your daughter. The normal CT, and blood work are encouraging that there is nothing that is putting your daughter at great harm. However, the neurological changes that are happening are alittle worrisome. The repetitive nature of things usually lead us to think of seizure events. They are occuring to frequently to be migraine headaches. Of course they can be due to other things, but these would usually have something either in the past medical history to suggest a brain abnormality, such as delayed development, cerebral palsy, infantile stroke, etc. You did not mention any abnormality other than the symptoms of the headache. I would think that a good neurological exam coupled with a few tests that the physical exam would indicate will begin the process of finding the etiology of your daughter's problem.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD