Temporal muscle blood flow in common migraine.

Temporal muscle blood flow (TMBF) was measured by the local 133-Xenon washout technique in 61 patients suffering from common migraine. Nineteen were re-examined in the course of spontaneous attacks. Muscle tension was quantified by surface EMG. During the attacks, median TMBF increased insignificantly, 33% on the ipsilateral and 24% on the contralateral side. During 15 unilateral attacks, the ipsilateral-contralateral ratio of TMBF was 1.02. Isometric and dynamic work tests showed intact metabolic regulation of TMBF. These results speak against a general vasomotor disturbance of the extracranial tissues during attacks of common migraine. There was also no indication that ischemia of the temporal muscle might explain the pain.