Migraine associated bilateral intracerebral haemorrhages

The authors report a case of bilateral basal ganglionic haemorrhages which occurred during an attack of classical migraine. The patient had a history of migraine associated with aura of neurological deficit for 10 years and a history of arterial hypertension for 20 years, which was treated with propranolol. Intracerebral haemorrhage during an attack of migraine is very rare and up to now the existence of true migraine-induced intracerebral haemorrhage has been controversial. Our case of bilateral occurrence of the haemorrhages supports the theory of the existence of migraine-induced damage of the wall of intraparenchymal vessels during vasoconstriction and focal ischaemia at the beginning of a migraine attack. Subsequent vessel rupture may occur during the following period of increased cerebral blood flow especially with coexisting arterial hypertension. The terminology of the syndrome of migraine associated with intracerebral haemorrhage is reviewed.