Open AccessFamilial hemiplegic migraine in a child with seizure disorder: clinical history is the key to diagnosis
Author(s) -
Pranav Balakrishnan,
Phalguna Kousika Katakam,
Anupama Hegde
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2018-228687
Subject(s) - migraine , medicine , migraine with aura , aura , familial hemiplegic migraine , pediatrics , family history , weakness , medical history , neurological examination , international classification of headache disorders , neurological disorder , psychiatry , central nervous system disease , surgery
Headache is a common presenting complaint in the paediatric population, with often migraine being a clinical diagnosis. Hemiplegic migraine is characterised by aura, sudden onset weakness of one side of the body which usually recovers without any residual neurological deficit. We report a child with a history of seizure disorder, well controlled and off medication for 3 years, who presented with a headache, aura and transient hemiplegia. Similar history in the patient's mother suggests the diagnosis of familial hemiplegic migraine. We would like to emphasise the importance of detailed history as an important aid in the diagnosis of neurological disorders in children.