[Basilar migraine].

Basilar migraine is a well defined condition which is easily identified by a characteristic clinical picture such as headache associated with visual, cerebellar and brainstem symptoms. Occasionally, severe disturbances of consciousness may occur which blur this otherwise unequivocal clinical condition. Hence, diagnosis may be difficult. CT-scan, electroencephalography and lumbar puncture are then necessary in order to rule out more severe disorders. Treatment of this condition corresponds to the therapy of more common types of migraine. There is, however, no rationale for the administration of drugs conventionally used for migraine prophylaxis in patients with severe disturbances of consciousness, though treatment of brain edema with steroids may be helpful or occasionally even necessary.