Migraine-like symptoms triggered by occipital lobe seizures: response to sumatriptan.

BACKGROUND

The relationship of ictal and post-ictal cephalic pain to migraine remains debatable. We hereby report 2 patients, a 27-year-old woman and 41-year-old man were referred for assessment of migraine of 10 years and 4 years duration, respectively. The man described a recent episode of "vacant stare" and the woman has sensitivity to bright colours and light. Neurological examination, visual field testing, CAT scan, MRI scan, and prolonged EEG recordings were accomplished for each patient.

RESULTS

The man had a spontaneous seizure with ictal discharge arising from the right occipital lobe. Bilateral occipital spikes, associated with palinopsia was triggered in the woman by photic stimulation. Both patients developed post-ictal headaches with symptoms similar to their migraines. The symptoms subsided following treatment with oral sumatriptan.

CONCLUSIONS

Migraine-like symptoms occurring following occipital lobe seizures may share similar pathophysiological substrates with idiopathic migraine. Serotonergic mechanisms may be implicated.