Migraine aura-like headache in occipital lobe brain tumors

Abstract

Background. Headache is a common symptom in brain tumors. In agreement with the International Headache Society, tumor headache belongs to the headache attributed to neoplasia. It has nonspecific characteristics regarding the type of pain that is diffused or localized in correspondence with the site of the tumor. In this study, we describe two cases of migraine-like headache in occipital lobe tumors, hypothesizing possible mechanisms involving cortical spreading depression. Methods. The study concerns a series of 38 brain tumors, with headache as an onset symptom. It had the characteristics of a traction headache, typical of brain tumors. Headache occurred with typical migraine symptoms in two occipital lobe tumors. This is a singular occurrence, observing the literature data. The patients underwent surgical treatment, with the disappearance of the headache. Results. This study showed the correlation between migraine aura-like headache and occipital lobe brain tumor. Migraine headache was the onset symptom in the patients affected by occipital lobe brain tumors. They underwent surgical treatment with disappearance of headache. Conclusions. In the cases described in this work, a correlation was found between the occipital tumor and migraine-like headache. It is a singular case, confirming the involvement of the occipital cortex in migraine with visual aura-related headache, through the start of spreading depression.

Keywords

• migraine
• brain tumors
• occipital lobe
• headache