Migrainous cerebral infarction: A tomographic study of cerebral blood flow and oxygen extraction fraction with the oxygen-15 inhalation technique

Abstract

A patient with migraine who had a permanent risual field defect was studied by angiography and CT scan. He also had a tomographic study of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygen extraction fraction (EO,) using the non-invaslve continuous oxygen-15 (15O) Inhalation technique. Angiography was normal. CT scan wealed an area of decreased density with contrast enhancement suggestire of a recent infarct in the left occipital lobe. The13O inhalation technique showed a decrease in CBF and EO2, typical of recent infarcts, In the corresponding area, an Increase in CBF with normal EO, in the left temporal lobe, and a decrease in CBF with increased EO2 in the right occipital cortex. These findings Illustrate the unusual nature and extent of the Ischemic process underlying migrainous cerebral infarction. © 1980 American Heart Association, Inc.