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Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2022; 20(06): 437-439
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1747936
Case Report

Migraine with Brainstem Aura Associated with SCN2A Mutation: A Case Report

Javier A. Membrilla 
1   Neurology Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
,
María Sastre-Real
1   Neurology Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
,
Pilar Tirado
2   Pediatric Neurology Service, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
,
Javier Díaz-de-Terán
1   Neurology Department, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
3   La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
4   Physiotherapy Department, CranioSPain Research Group, La Salle Higher Center for University Studies, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Background Migraine with brainstem aura (MBA) is a rare subtype of migraine with aura that associates headache with paroxysmal episodes of ataxia, dysarthria, and diplopia among other symptoms attributed to brainstem involvement. The manifestation of this disease in the absence of typical aura symptoms (i.e., fully reversible visual, sensory and/or speech/language symptoms) is even more infrequent.

Case Report In this article, we reported a case of a 16-year-old male patient with MBA associated with a sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 2 (SCN2A) de novo mutation. The patient did not have typical aura symptoms. Ataxia was the most prominent clinical feature, leading to initial diagnosis of episodic ataxia. Patient responded partially to treatment with onabotulinum toxin A.

Conclusion MBA needs to be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of recurrent ataxia, even in the absence of typical aura symptoms. Finding a de novo SCN2A mutation in our patient helps in further understanding of MBA genetics.

Keywords

pediatric - SCN2A - migraine - genetic - ataxia

Authors' Contributions

J.D.d.T. conceptualized and designed the manuscript.


J.A.M. drafted the manuscript.


M.S.-R., P.T., and J.D.-d.T. revised it for intellectual content.


J.D.-d.T. gave final approval of the completed manuscript.




Publication History

Received: 17 November 2021

Accepted: 07 March 2022

Article published online:
11 July 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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