A child with infrequent attacks of migraine with aura

Abstract

A case of 2-year history of infrequent attacks of migraine with aura in an 11-year-old boy is presented. He has typical visual auras followed by migraine-type headaches. Suddenly he developed an unusual headache. While playing video games on his computer, he was suddenly unable to see a 2 cm section in the central part of his vision in the right eye only. After 45 min the visual problem resolved and he developed a severe and sudden onset headache which required further evaluation. Two-year history of infrequent headaches, normal health between attacks, and normal neurological examination suggest primary headache disorders in this patient. But aura symptoms might be a cause for caution. Migraine headaches affect quality of life in children and require appropriate treatment strategy. This patient has infrequent attacks that may not require preventive treatment. Physicians should be aware of precipitating factors and some lifestyle modifications might be important.