Ophthalmoplegic migraine: Value of magnetic resonance

Ophthalmoplegic migraine is a rare entity, usually starting in chilhood, and characterized by recurrent episodes of migrainous headaches associated with an oculomotor cranial. nerve palsy, most commonly affecting the third nerve. Its physiopathology remains unknown, but the most recent theory, that considers it as a neuropathy, has led to its inclusion in the last International Headache Classification into the group of neuralgias. Diagnosis is reliant on clinical grounds and the exclusion of other disorders. The characteristic finding of enlargement and enhancement with contrast of the cisternal portion of the oculomotor nerve, observed in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has supported its diagnosis. We describe a clinically compatible case, supported by typical MRI images that progressed favourably following corticoids treatment. (C) 2008 Asociacion Espanola de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.