Middle meningeal artery embolization in migraine: From concept to reality.

Abstract

Migraine is a common neurological disorder that primarily affects young adults. Despite the availability of multiple therapeutic options for patients with intractable migraine, a significant proportion of these patients remain refractory to treatment, highlighting the importance for novel therapies. In this study, we comprehensively assessed the role of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) in the management of intractable migraine. Although the exact pathophysiology of migraine remains a subject of debate, the neurovascular theory of migraine has gained attention recently following multiple studies assessing the role of the MMA in migraine pathophysiology. In addition, the successful utilization of lidocaine both through intravenous injection and directly into the MMA, as well as favorable results observed in the form of headache relief following MMA embolization (MMAE) in patients with chronic subdural hematoma, has further substantiated the neurovascular theory hypothesis. In this study, we evaluated the current evidence, potential trends, role of other injection medications, as well as risks and limitations of MMAE in the management of patients with refractory migraine. Intractable migraine is a complex condition that often requires multimodal management. MMAE has emerged as a promising, novel therapeutic technique that may help reduce pain and minimize the need for additional treatments. However, further prospective and randomized trials are still necessary for further validation.