Bilateral asymmetry of cerebral blood velocity in cluster headache

Cephalalgia. 1994 Oct;14(5):346-51. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1994.1405346.x.

Abstract

In this study, 69 episodic cluster headache (CH) patients (40 in the active phase, 29 in remission period) underwent a complete TCD examination in order to verify the relationship between cerebral blood velocities (CBVs) and the clinical profile of the disease. Fifteen patients were examined during both phases, while 7 were monitored during a spontaneous attack. Sixty-three healthy sex and age-matched controls were also studied. We measured widespread, asymmetric CBV activation during the active phase, bilaterally in the anterior circulation and also in the posterior circulation. A relative reduction of CBV on the anterior cerebral artery pain side, also during remission, suggests a relationship between local vasodilation and the autonomic symptoms ipsilateral to pain during CH attacks.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology*
  • Cluster Headache / diagnostic imaging
  • Cluster Headache / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Matched-Pair Analysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
  • Vasodilation
  • Vasomotor System