title: Assessment of the CO2 response by means of non diffusible contrast media and angio-CT in patients with cluster headache.
abstract: We analyzed the possibility of assessing functional vasomotor changes by means of Arm-Brain Circulation Time (rABCT) and Vascular volume images (Vv) obtained with Angio-CT, in basal condition and following CO2 inhalation, in a sample of 48 patients with cluster headache. CO2 inhalation resulted in the appearance of local changes, which were detected in 28 regions. Analysis by indicator images of Vv-dependent rABCT distribution showed two main patterns: abnormal rABCT mostly evident at the smallest Vv pixels and abnormal rABCT dependent on abnormal Vv distribution. The former pattern was linked to abnormality at the circle of Willis; the latter to abnormal local vasomotor responses. Patients with cluster headache showed both patterns, which prompted us to conclude for the presence of low-degree stenosis in carotid arteries and vasomotor instability in peripheral brain vessels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bartolini
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gasparetto
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roncallo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sullo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leandri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000502:physiology*; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D002245:Carbon Dioxide