Treatment of migraine attacks by compression of temporal superficial arteries using a device.

Background: We recently reported that prolonged compression of the scalp arteries blocks pain in a large percentage of migraine attacks. We aimed to determine whether the use of a simple device that compresses the temporal superficial arteries can ameliorate migraine pain.

Material/methods: Thirty consecutive patients (21 women, 9 men), who had positive effect with prolonged digital compression, were included in this study.

Scalp periarterial saline efficacy in migraine and relation to exploding and imploding headache.

We recently reported the possibility of blocking a migraine attack by prolonged compression of scalp arteries and by the injection of saline around them, suggesting a role of extracranial structures in migraine pain. This study attempts further characterisation of the effect of saline infiltration and the relationship of the response to headache characteristics. A total of 40 patients were examined for scalp artery tenderness (superficial temporal main trunk and frontal branch, and occipital) during migraine attacks.