How can a migraine cause faecal incontinence?
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Correspondence to:
Professor J Boujaoude
Department of Gastroenterology, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon; jboujhotmail.com
Clinical presentation
A 31 year old woman presented with vaginal faecal discharge and anal pain. Her past medical history was significant for a 20 year history of severe migraine treated with ergotamine based suppositories. Two months prior to admission, she started reporting constipation and having anal pain on defecation. Three weeks prior to admission, she reported a vaginal faecal discharge initially on defecation but later even on passing flatus. Her systemic evaluation showed no other sign or symptom. Physical examination and laboratory data were all normal. Rectal examination revealed a painful circular stenosis 3 cm cephalad to the dentate line. Rectoscopy was performed (figs 1–3).
