Neuroimaging biomarkers in migraine with aura mimicking stroke: A qualitative and quantitative analysis of perfusion CT alterations.

Objective: Our main goal was to describe the clinical, analytical, and neuroimaging characteristics of a large series of patients with migraine with aura (MA) as stroke mimic (SM). As secondary goals, we evaluated factors associated with perfusion computed tomography (PCT) alterations in MA. Backgro...

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Publicado en:Headache: The Journal of Head & Face Pain Vol. 66; no. 7; pp. 1607 - 1617
Autores principales: de la Escalera, Lucía Gómez Martín, Trillo, Santiago, del Olmo, Antonio Barbosa, de Queirós, Carmen De Benavides Bernaldo, Valiente, Esther, Gago‐Veiga, Ana Beatriz, Sanabria‐Gago, Cristina, Nombela, Florentino, Gonzalez‐Martinez, Alicia
Formato: diagnostic images research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell Jul2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jul2026
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      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
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        atl: Neuroimaging biomarkers in migraine with aura mimicking stroke: A qualitative and quantitative analysis of perfusion CT alterations.
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          de la Escalera, Lucía Gómez Martín
          Trillo, Santiago
          del Olmo, Antonio Barbosa
          de Queirós, Carmen De Benavides Bernaldo
          Valiente, Esther
          Gago‐Veiga, Ana Beatriz
          Sanabria‐Gago, Cristina
          Nombela, Florentino
          Gonzalez‐Martinez, Alicia
        affil: Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
      sug:
        subj:
          Migraine Radiography
          Stroke Diagnosis
          Perfusion Imaging
          Tomography, X-Ray Computed
          Neuroradiography
          Biological Markers
          Neurologic Manifestations
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Retrospective Design
          Record Review
          Nonexperimental Studies
          Cross Sectional Studies
          Tertiary Health Care Spain
          Qualitative Studies
          Quantitative Studies
          Cerebrovascular Circulation
          Diagnosis, Differential Methods
          Aphasia Etiology
          Sensation Disorders Metabolism
          Spain
          Age Factors
          Sex Factors
          Potassium
          Glucose
          Creatinine
          Descriptive Statistics
          Data Analysis Software
          T-Tests
          Pearson's Correlation Coefficient
          Chi Square Test
          Fisher's Exact Test
          Univariate Statistics
          Exploratory Research
          Funding Source
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Objective: Our main goal was to describe the clinical, analytical, and neuroimaging characteristics of a large series of patients with migraine with aura (MA) as stroke mimic (SM). As secondary goals, we evaluated factors associated with perfusion computed tomography (PCT) alterations in MA. Background: MA is a frequent SM in the acute setting. Increasing our knowledge and awareness of the clinical and radiological characteristics that may occur in the context of a MA as SM may improve diagnosis and reduce unnecessary treatments such as intravenous thrombolysis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cross‐sectional study including patients with a final diagnosis of MA who were evaluated at a tertiary hospital and stroke center under the stroke code (SC) protocol activation ‐focal neurological symptoms occurring within 24 h‐ between January 1, 2015, and January 31, 2025. Demographic variables (age, sex), clinical features (history of migraine, vascular risk factors, aura type), and biochemical markers (potassium, glucose, and creatinine levels) were collected. Moreover, we explored factors associated with PCT alterations in MA. Results: Among 5513 SC, 68 (1%) were MA, with mean age of 42 (SD: 12.1) years old, 46/68 (68%) females. The most frequent aura symptom was sensory (67%). PCT alterations were found in 15/68 (22%), with a hypoperfusion pattern mainly unilateral, corresponding to a non‐vascular territory. The RAPID automatic software was available in 9/15 (60%) patients. Of these, all patients showed Tmax > 4 s elevation, and one patient also presented Tmax > 6 s elevation. The automatic software analysis identified PCT alterations in five patients that did not show alterations in the qualitative analysis. Male sex (p = 0.003) and aphasic aura (p = 0.004) were associated with PCT alterations in patients with MA. Conclusion: MA as SM forms 1% of SC activation. Automatic RAPID software analysis may help identify PCT alterations that cannot be detected by qualitative analysis. Male sex and aphasia are associated with PCT alterations in MA, which may improve diagnosis in the acute setting. Plain Language Summary: Migraine with aura can mimic a stroke, making diagnosis difficult and sometimes leading to unnecessary treatment in the acute setting. We found that some patients with migraine with aura show characteristic changes on brain perfusion CT scans, particularly in men and those with speech symptoms, which can be better detected using automated analysis software. Recognizing these imaging patterns may help clinicians improve diagnosis and avoid unnecessary interventions associated with an incorrect initial diagnosis.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        diagnostic images
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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