"Thoracic migraine" as a new manifestation of migraine: Case report

Cephalalgia. 2018 Jun;38(7):1399-1401. doi: 10.1177/0333102417733960. Epub 2017 Sep 24.

Abstract

Background and objectives Abdominal pain is a well-known headache-associated symptom in migraine in children, but rarely in adults. We describe a case of a female patient with typical accompanying migraine symptoms without headache but with thoracic pain. Case report The present case of a 41 year-old-woman shows recurrent attacks with thoracic pain and typical accompanying migraine symptoms but without headache. Symptoms resolved upon treatment with triptans and beta blockers. Discussion This case might be interpreted as "thoracic migraine", and extends the spectrum of migraine forms. Conclusion In patients with facial pain secondary to lung cancer, an anatomical connection between the vagal nerve, the nucleus tractus solitarii, the jugular ganglion and trigeminal system has been suggested. The present case might be an analogy to this explanation.

Keywords: Thoracic migraine; atypical migraine; migraine without headache.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chest Pain / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders / complications*