Migraine surgery

Migraine is a disorder marked by attacks of recurring throbbing headache varying in intensity from mild to severe, usually lasting from 4 to 72 hours and intensifying with physical activity. The pain is usually accompanied by additional symptoms which are often more disabling than the pain itself, such as nausea, vomiting, intolerance of light, sounds or smells. A migraine cascade can be started by increased impulsation reaching the tri­ge­mi­no­va­scu­lar system as a result of mechanical irritation of nerves at the trigger points. Four main trigger points have been identified: frontal, temporal, nasoseptal and occipital as well as many others of secondary significance. Severe migraine attacks not responding to medications are the main indication for minimally invasive intervention methods and for surgical treatment. Surgery is the last stage of treatment for migraine sufferers.  Before a surgical consultation, all patients should be reviewed by a neurologist. Qualification for surgical treatment and neurological workup are offered by Dr. Łukasz Kmieciak at the Pain Treatment Centre (www.stopbolowi.pl).