Headache (227/1700)

A 32 yo woman suffers an episode of severe occipital headache with vomiting and loss of
consciousness. She is brought to the hospital where she is found to be conscious and completely
alert. Exam: normal pulse & BP. No abnormal neurological signs. What is the next step in
management?

a. Admission for observation
b. CT brain
c. MRI head
d. Reassurance and discharge
e. XR skull




























answer: D
diagnosis: basilar migraine ... ttt/reassurance, avoid triggers




Migraine
• stages of uncomplicated migraine
i. prodrome (hours to days before headache onset)
ii. aura
iii. headache (see Table 24 for description of typical headache)
iv. postdrome

• aura
fully reversible symptom of focal cerebral dysfunction lasting <60 min
examples: visual disturbance (fortification spectra – zigzags; scintillating scotomata – spots), unilateral paresthesia and numbness or weakness, aphasia

• prodrome/postdrome: appetite change, autonomic symptoms, altered mood, psychomotor agitation/retardation

• classification of migraines
1.      common migraine: no aura
2.      classic migraine: with aura (headache follows reversible aura within 60 min)
3.      complicated migraine: with severe/persistent sensorimotor deficits, examples:
-        basilar-type migraine (occipital headache with diplopia, vertigo, ataxia, and altered
-        level of consciousness)
-        hemiplegic/hemisensory migraine
-        ophthalmoplegic migraine
-        acephalgic migraine (i.e. migraine equivalent): aura without headache
 




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