Cytotoxic Lesion of the Corpus Callosum Related to Migraine With Aura Triggered by In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer: A Case Report

Cytotoxic lesions of the corpus callosum (CLOCCs) have been linked to a wide range of clinical conditions and, though rarely reported, have also been observed in patients with migraine. While their exact pathophysiology is not fully understood, CLOCCs are thought to result from complex inflammatory cascades that trigger cytokine storms and oxidative stress. Most reported cases are reversible and carry a favorable short-term clinical prognosis, though long-term outcomes remain unclear. In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), which involves pronounced hormonal fluctuations, may contribute to varying degrees of headache, particularly in individuals with a history of migraine. We present the case of a 26-year-old woman who developed migraine with aura episodes after initiating IVF-ET treatment. Her most severe migraine episode occurred following IVF-ET failure, which likely led to a sharp drop in estrogen levels, and was associated with the development of a cytotoxic lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum. Follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging at six months showed near-complete lesion resolution, and the patient did not show any signs of permanent neurological sequelae during this period. To date, and to our knowledge, this is the first reported case in the literature of a CLOCC triggered by IVF-ET-associated migraine.