Open AccessStroke-Like Migraine Attacks after Radiation Therapy Syndrome: Clinical and Imaging Characteristics
Author(s) -
Mina S. Makary,
Usama Awan,
Vinay K. Puduvalli,
H. Wayne Slone
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of clinical imaging science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.279
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2156-7514
pISSN - 2156-5597
DOI - 10.25259/jcis-9-5
Subject(s) - medicine , migraine , radiation therapy , stroke (engine) , complication , differential diagnosis , radiology , disease , surgery , pathology , mechanical engineering , engineering
Stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy (SMART) syndrome is a rare, reversible phenomenon that occurs several years after radiotherapy in patients treated for intracranial neoplastic lesions. Patients typically present with symptoms of headache, seizures, and other focal neurologic deficits concerning for stroke or disease recurrence. In this report, we describe SMART syndrome in a 70-year-old male who developed a persistent right temporal headache, right-sided neck pain, and new-onset seizures 12 years after surgical resection of a temporal anaplastic ependymoma followed by irradiation. We present this case to highlight typical disease presentation, imaging characteristics, and important differential radiologic considerations. Recognition of this delayed complication of brain tumor radiation is paramount given its self-limited course and favorable response to conservative therapy and to avoid misinterpreting imaging findings as tumor recurrence.