Seeing the Light: Brainstem Glioma Causing Visual Auras and Migraine

Migraine mimics

The symptoms of migraine are non-specific and can be present in many other primary and secondary headache disorders, which are reviewed. Even experienced headache specialists may be challenged at times when diagnosing what appears to be first or worst, new type, migraine status, and chronic migraine.

Adult brainstem gliomas

Brainstem gliomas are uncommon in adults and account for only 1%-2% of intracranial gliomas. They represent a heterogeneous group of tumors that differ from those found in their pediatric counterparts. In adults, a low-grade phenotype predominates, which is a feature that likely explains their better prognosis compared to that in children. Because biopsies are rarely performed, classifications based on the radiological aspect of magnetic resonance imaging results have been proposed to establish treatment strategies and to determine outcomes: (a) diffuse intrinsic low-grade, (b) enhancing malignant glioma, (c) focal tectal gliomas, and (d) exophytic gliomas. Despite significant advances in neuroradiology techniques, a purely radiological classification remains imperfect in the absence of a histological diagnosis. Whereas a biopsy may often be reasonably avoided in the diffuse nonenhancing forms, obtaining histological proof seems necessary in many contrast-enhanced brainstem lesions because of the wide variety of differential diagnoses in adults. Conventional radiotherapy is the standard treatment for diffuse intrinsic low-grade brainstem gliomas in adults (the median survival is 5 years). In malignant brainstem gliomas, radiotherapy is the standard treatment. However, the possible benefit of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy (temozolomide or other agents) has not been thoroughly evaluated in adults. The role of anti-angiogenic therapies in brainstem gliomas remains to be defined. A better understanding of the biology of these tumors is of primary importance for identifying homogeneous subgroups and for improving therapy options and outcomes.

Headache and brain tumors

We review the current state of knowledge regarding headache and brain tumors. The epidemiology of this clinically relevant area is highlighted along with general clinical features of headache disorders seen in brain tumor patients. Some rarer clinical presentations are noted, particularly in relationship to the newly described trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, as well as the relationships of headache to pituitary tumors and paroxysmal and positional headaches. Headaches as a result of brain tumor therapy are noted, as is the important area of treatment of headaches in patients with central nervous system neoplasms of a primary or secondary nature.

Epilepsy and migraine: The dopamine hypotheses

Migraine and epilepsy are both chronic recurrent disorders with paroxysmal attacks. They also share some similar risk factors, symptoms, and preventive medications. Dopamine has long been postulated to be involved in the pathophysiology of migraine and epileptogenesis, by many supporting evidences. However, the role of dopamine is still controversial till now. A lack of a comprehensive hypothetical model may be one of the reasons. "Dopamine hypothesis" is not a new term, but it is proposed to explain the pathophysiology and the associated phenomena of these disorders. The hypotheses suggest that, in migraine, there is a low dopamine tone, while there is a high state of dopamine in generalized epilepsy. But the periodic attacks of headaches and seizures maybe both due to a fall in dopamine activity. Dopamine therefore plays a key role in the linkage of neuroendocrine, autonomic system and neuronal activity. Dopamine agonist is also implied in prophylaxis and neuroprotection in both disorders.