Usefulness of Transcranial Doppler Sonography (TCD) in the evaluation of headache sufferers

OBJECTIVE: To compare TCD values in headache sufferers during various phases of attack and interictal period, METHODS: TCD examinations were performed in: 25 Migrainers, 12 Tension Type Sufferers (TTH), 10 Chronic Daily Headache Sufferers (CDH) and 35 controls at three different moments during attack, as well as during headache free period. Headache intensity was rated on a 10-point scale. RESULTS: Our results show a trend towards a) higher values of mean blood flow velocities (MFV) in interictal migrainers than in controls (p<0,05) b) lower velocities in migraine periods when compared with interictal phase. Comparison of measurements at three different moments during attacks reveals positive linear relationship between MFV and intensity of pain (r=0,72, p<0,05). CONCLUSIONS: The differences in TCD parameters between migrainers and controls suggest some degree of altered vascular reactivity in basal and ictal conditions.