Answer
Many parents are surprised to learn that children can experience migraine headaches. The diagnosis is symptom-based, meaning that there is no objective test available to confirm the clinical suspicion. A treating physician, therefore, may recommend certain studies to rule out other possible causes of childhood headache.
Magnetic resonance imaging is useful in detecting tumors, aneurysms, and other structural lesions of the brain. Injecting dye into a vein increases the sensitivity of the test. Inserting the intravenous line is mildly (and briefly) painful, but otherwise there is no discomfort associated with the test. It is rather noisy, however, and younger children unable to remain still may require sedation.
Should you be worried because the physician has advised an MRI? Not necessarily. The vast majority of children with headaches do not have a serious or life-threatening cause. Your child's physician most likely wants to minimize the possibility that something is being missed before assuming a diagnosis of migraine. If the study results are unremarkable, your physician will be able to proceed more confidently with treatment.
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