The migraine variants

Pediatr Ann. 2005 Jun;34(6):486-8, 490-2, 494-7. doi: 10.3928/0090-4481-20050601-14.

Abstract

The migraine variants are unique to pediatrics and are a fascinating and challenging group of disorders characterized by the onset of focal neurological signs and symptoms such as hemiparesis, altered consciousness nystagmus, or ophthalmoparesis followed by headache. Because all of the diagnoses discussed represent diagnoses of exclusion, only after a careful medical history, a physical examination, and appropriate neurodiagnostic studies can they be entertained comfortably. Often, these ominous neurological signs initially lead the clinician in the direction of epileptic, cerebrovascular, traumatic, or metabolic disorders, and only after thorough neurodiagnostic testing does the diagnosis become apparent. Some of these entities occur in infants and young children in which the medical history is limited.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders / classification*
  • Migraine Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Migraine with Aura / diagnosis
  • Torticollis / diagnosis
  • Vertigo / diagnosis