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A migrainous syndrome with cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis

Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN.

Abnormalities of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are rare in migraine, even when accompanied by focal neurologic signs and symptoms. Seven patients without a prior history of migraine experienced a limited series of migraine-like attacks associated with abnormalities of the CSF. The episodic, severe headaches were preceded and accompanied by sensory, motor, speech, and visual disturbances. The CSF showed a predominantly lymphocytic pleocytosis, increased protein, and elevated opening pressure. All seven patients recovered completely. We postulate that the migrainous episodes were symptomatic of an underlying inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. This distinctive combination of symptoms and CSF findings constitutes a benign syndrome.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Bartleson. Mayo Clinic, Rochester. MN 55901

Presented in part at the thirty-second annual meeting of The American Academy of Neurology. New Orleans, LA, April 28-May 3, 1980

Accepted for publication February 5, 1981.