Multiple intracerebral hemorrhages and vasospasm following antimigrainous drug abuse

Headache. 1998 Jun;38(6):478-80. doi: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.1998.3806478.x.

Abstract

The occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage during an acute attack of migraine remains questionable. A normotensive migrainous woman experienced multiple intracerebral hemorrhages. No drug abuse was recorded, but bleeding occurred after the use of several antimigrainous drugs. Angiography revealed severe vasospasm of both anterior cerebral arteries. Subsequent brain MRI and MRI angiography failed to show any vascular abnormalities. Echocardiography and an exhaustive biological evaluation ruled out an alternative condition favoring intracerebral hemorrhage. Multiple intracerebral hemorrhages in migraine may exceptionally be related to vasospasm leading to arterial wall injury. Intracranial arterial vasospasm could be precipitated by excessive vasoactive therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / adverse effects
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / chemically induced*
  • Ergotamine / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / chemically induced*
  • Migraine Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Sumatriptan / administration & dosage
  • Sumatriptan / adverse effects
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / administration & dosage
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents
  • Sumatriptan
  • Ergotamine