A correlative study between white matter lesions of migraine and patent foramen ovale

Abstract

Migraine is a kind of common primary headache, which seriously damages human health and quality of life. Recent studies show there is a high incidence of white matter lesions (WML) in migraineurs, which is independent of other risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases. The patent foramen ovale (PFO) in migraineurs, especially in migraineurs with aura, is more common than in general population. There is a close relationship between them, but it is controversial whether it is a causal link. Patent foramen ovale can cause paradoxical embolism, but its role in the pathogenesis of migraine is still unknown. It is worth exploring whether there is difference in white matter lesions between the migraineurs with and without patent foramen ovale.

doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2014.09.015