Dilatation of Virchow-Robin spaces in patients with migraine

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria Vol. 59; no. 2-A; pp. 206 - 209
• Main Authors: Machado, Jr, M A, Matos, A S, Goyanna, F, Barbosa, V A, Vieira, L C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil 01-06-2001
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Case-Control Studies; Cerebral Arteries - pathology; Dilatation, Pathologic - diagnosis; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Migraine Disorders - pathology; Subarachnoid Space - blood supply
• ISSN: 0004-282X
• DOI: 10.1590/s0004-282x2001000200010

The Virchow-Robin spaces (VRS) are subpial invaginations making a tubular revestment scabbard that contains a vase between the subarachnoid and subpial spaces. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the only imaging method able for evaluate this anatomic detail. We studied the possible association between dilated VRS and migraine. Seventy patients with ages ranging from 13 to 54 years (mean, 36.5 years), with clinical diagnosis of migraine were studied and compared with a control group, without past of headache, composed by the same number of patients with ages ranged from 14 to 64 years (mean, 42 years). We observed widening of VRS in 28 cases (40%) of the migraine patients. In the control group this feature was demonstrated in only 5 cases (7.1%). Alert for the importance of detecting and recognizing the VRS, as well as, the differentiation from lacunar infarctions and choroid fissure cysts.