SUMMARY
The research of Carrie (Beth) E. Robertson, M.D., focuses on the diagnosis and management of all facets of neurology. This includes the diagnosis and management of headache and facial pain disorders such as migraine, cluster headache, trigeminal neuralgia and related disorders. She has a particular interest in atypical visual symptoms and evaluates patients with unusual visual aura, migraine aura status, Charles Bonnet syndrome and visual snow syndrome. Dr. Robertson also has a background in peripheral nerve pathology and is part of the Mayo Clinic facial paralysis and reanimation clinic team, seeing both children and adults who have facial neuropathy.
Focus areas
- Visual snow syndrome. Dr. Robertson focuses on symptoms of visual snow syndrome, secondary causes of these symptoms and disease progression over time. Understanding the range of symptoms is an important part of her research, along with how the presentation plays a part in the treatment.
- Cluster headache. Given the severity of cluster headaches, it is important to keep expanding the treatment options for patients. Dr. Robertson is focused on treatment of cluster headache with medicine that affects the calcitonin gene-related peptide pathway.
- Facial neuropathy. Collaborating with experts in plastic surgery, oculoplastics, optometry and physical therapy, Dr. Robertson studies the best surgical management strategies for patients with facial neuropathies. Though there are fewer surgical options for trigeminal neuropathy, Dr. Robertson and the Mayo Clinic facial paralysis and reanimation clinic team have also been exploring nerve grafts for specific cases.
- Migraine. Dr. Robertson participates in a number of trials for migraine, including those that explore the genetics, imaging findings and management options. Recent interests include research on the best approach for different procedures for headache pain, such as occipital nerve blocks.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Robertson's research is aimed at improving prevention, symptom management, treatment and outcomes for patients experiencing headache and facial pain. Her goal is to improve patients' quality of life by helping them avoid such pain when possible and treat it more effectively when it occurs.