FREQUENCY OF WHITE MATTER HYPERINTENSITIES ON MRI IN PATIENTS WITH MIGRAINE
Aqeela1, Khurram Haq Nawaz1, Sania Saeed1, Tariq Khan1, Wali Rehman1,
1 Department of Neurology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi
Date of Submission: 08/03/2026
Date of Acceptance: 08/04/2026
Date of Publication: 20/04/2026
Corresponding Author: Name: Dr Khurram Haq Nawaz, Consultant Neurologist, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi Pakistan
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Migraine is a common brain disorder that causes repeated headaches and affects daily life. Many patients show small bright areas on MRI called white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), but their importance is still not clear.
OBJECTIVE:
To find how often WMHs appear on MRI in patients with migraine.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study was carried out at Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. A total of 400 patients aged 18 to 60 years with migraine were included. MRI of the brain was performed using standard sequences. WMHs were identified, and their size, location, and severity were recorded using the Fazekas scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 28.
RESULTS:
WMHs were found in 62% of patients. They were more common in older patients, those with longer disease duration, and those with chronic migraine. Most lesions were small and mild in severity. The frontal region of the brain was the most commonly affected area.
CONCLUSION:
WMHs are common in patients with migraine, but most are mild and small. These findings may help doctors better understand MRI changes in migraine and guide patient care.
KEYWORDS: Migraine, MRI, white matter hyperintensities, Fazekas scale, Pakistan