[Migraine aura: differential diagnostics between ophthalmology and neurology]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Migraine aura is a common phase of migraine, affecting 25-35% of patients.
• It involves fully reversible focal neurological symptoms, often visual, sensory, or motor.
• Symptoms typically develop gradually, spread over time, and occur in succession.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical spectrum of migraine aura based on ICHD-3 criteria.
• To emphasize the characteristic temporal evolution of aura symptoms.
• To highlight the recognition of isolated aura without headache and differential diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical spectrum of migraine aura.
• Application of International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3) diagnostic criteria.
• Emphasis on temporal evolution and differential diagnosis.

Main Results:

• Migraine aura encompasses a range of neurological symptoms, most commonly visual.
• Key diagnostic features include gradual onset, progressive spread, and complete resolution within 5-60 minutes.
• Distinguishing migraine aura from transient ischemic attacks, epilepsy, and retinal disorders is crucial.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the ICHD-3 criteria and temporal evolution aids in diagnosing migraine aura.
• Recognition of isolated aura and differentiation from other neurological events are important clinical skills.
• Migraine aura simulations can aid in patient education and history-taking.