Color Doppler sonography of orbital and vertebral arteries in migraineurs without aura.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate whether the retrobulbar hemodynamics in the ophthalmic (OA), posterior ciliary (PCA), central retinal (CRA), and vertebral (VA) arteries are affected in migraineurs without aura.


METHODS
The eyes of migraineurs without aura and those of healthy control subjects were evaluated during both headache and headache-free periods. Retrobulbar and vertebral blood flow velocities in the OA, PCA, CRA, and the extracranial part of the VA were measured bilaterally using color Doppler sonography. The peak systolic and end-diastolic flow velocities and the pulsatility (PI) and resistance (RI) indices were determined for all arteries.


RESULTS
In total, we enrolled 30 migraineurs and 31 healthy control subjects. Statistically significant differences between headache-free migraineurs and control subjects were observed in the PI and RI of both right and left PCAs and in the RI of both right and left CRAs. The PI and RI of the left VA of the migraineurs were significantly lower during both headache and headache-free periods than were those of the control subjects. Among the migraineurs, the peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities of the left VA were increased during headache periods relative to those found during the headache-free periods.


CONCLUSIONS
The retrobulbar circulation and flow hemodynamics in the left VA may be altered in both headache and headache-free periods in migraineurs without aura. The differences found between migraineurs and control subjects may implicate autonomic dysfunction in migraineurs.
Kara
Simay Altan
SA
Department of Radiology, University of Kirikkale, School of Medicine, Sağlik Caddesi, Fabrikalar Mahallesi, 71100 Kirikkale, Turkey.
Erdemoğlu
A Kemal
AK
Karadeniz
M Yasemin
MY
Altinok
Deniz
D
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019842:Ciliary Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009915:Orbit / Q000098:blood supply*; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*