Media Doctor Australia
  

Media

 

+

 

Doctor

 

Australia

"Migraines cured in new LGH procedure"

ABC Health and Wellbeing

Source: ABC Health and Wellbeing

Published: 28 May 2008

Category: Surgical Procedure

Rating: (1 stars)

what they said (Hover the mouse cursor over underlined words for more info)

The Launceston General Hospital is using a new method to cure migraines.

The original article can be found at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/28/2257767.htm

how did it rate? (more information)

Criteria Rating
Total Score 1 of 9
Novelty of Treatment Not Satisfactory (?)
Availability of Treatment Not Satisfactory (?)
Treatment Options Not Satisfactory (?)
Disease Mongering Satisfactory (?)
Evidence Not Satisfactory (?)
Quantification of Benefits of Treatment Not Satisfactory (?)
Harms of Treatment Not Satisfactory (?)
Costs of Treatment Not Satisfactory (?)
Sources of Information Not Satisfactory (?)
Relies on Press Release Not Applicable

what we said (Hover the mouse cursor over underlined words for more info)

This is a very odd story. It reports on something that is not a treatment for migraine but for repair of patent foramen ovale PFA. This would very rarely be associated with migraine. We are not told how it works, how well it works, or the harms that might be associated with the procedure, how much it costs or how people who might benefit can get access to the treatment if they don't live in Launceston. It also says this is a non-invasive procedure but introducing a catheter and guidewire into the heart would seem like pretty invasive stuff to most people.

public forum

(10 Nov 2009) Nicola Newell from Migraine sufferer writes,

"have suffered with migraine with aura for many years. I was diagnosed with Hemiplegic migraine recently. There is also a family history of stroke in my family (grandfather died from a stroke), My daughter also suffers from migraine with aura (now aged 15). Recently my daughter was diagnoised with a Patent Formane Ovale. I was wondering whether this could be a link to the migraine that she is suffereing. I have not been tested for a PFO but was wondering whether I should look into this. if there is a cure for migraine then I am desperate to find this out as like many suffers, migraines arehorrible things to live with. Would you please confirm whether you know of a doctor that would be willing to look into this for me. Many thanks, Nicola"

Media Doctor response,

"Dear Nicola

Media Doctor does not provide medical advice. We recommendation you talk to your General Practitioner about these concerns.

Yours sincerely
Website Administrator"

voice your opinion in the forum

  • All comments and feedback submitted to Media Doctor are subject to editorial approval before being made viewable by the public. It may take up to a week for your comments to be approved. Additionally, no response will be given to questions posed in public comments. Media Doctor does not provide medical advice, or answers to medical questions posed by the public.
  • If you provide your email address it will not be displayed to the general public.
  • Comments may be edited by Media Doctor to remove defamatory or sensitive statements, and brand names.
  • Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
Name: *
Organisation:
Email:
Comments: *