MRI Findings in Pediatric Ophthalmoplegic Migraine: A Case Report and Literature Review

Ophthalmoplegic migraine (also recognized as a cranial neuralgia) is a form of migraine characterized by recurrent episodes of headache with ophthalmoplegia related to paresis of cranial nerves III, IV, or VI, with onset typically in childhood. These symptomatic episodes may persist for several hours or for several weeks, months, or permanently. To date, the exact etiology of ophthalmoplegic migraine remains unknown. In previous case reports, ophthalmoplegic migraine may or may not be associated with changes seen on magnetic resonance imaging. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging performed during symptomatic and postsymptomatic periods in patients with ophthalmoplegic migraine may hold great value in identifying the pathophysiologic features of oculomotor nerve palsies. Of cases demonstrating abnormal magnetic resonance imaging, a majority show improved but persistent changes on repeat imaging. The present report describes a case of recurrent ophthalmoplegic migraine in a 16-year-old girl. Although the patient presented with ophthalmoplegic migraine during this episode in the same manner as her prior episodes, enhancement of the cranial nerve III on magnetic resonance imaging was evident during the eighth episode whereas previous imaging had been normal. Complete resolution of enhancement of the oculomotor nerve on repeat imaging adds to the few cases that have shown such findings in patients with recurrent ophthalmoplegic migraine. A review of previous reported cases of ophthalmoplegic migraine is offered.