These symptoms are usually, although not necessarily, followed
by a throbbing headache in the occipital region (the back of the
head). The vertigo that accompanies Basilar Artery Migraine normally
lasts between 5 minutes and one hour.
The other neurological and brainstem symptoms associated with Basilar
Artery Migraine generally also last between 5 and 60 minutes, though
there may be residual neurologial symptoms that persist after the
attack itself is resolved.
Differential diagnosis of BAM should include thrombosis of the
basilar artery or cerebral veins, TIA, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage,
cerebellar hemorrhage, cerebellar infarction, brainstem infarction,
metabolic disorders, aneurysm, tumors of the posterior fossa, drug
intoxication, epilepsy, other migraine variants, and mental disorders.
It is vital that the neurologist obtain as thorough a history as
possible from the patient, including the patient's headache background
and characteristics, and information on any family history of related
disorders.
