Migrainous infarction: A serious complication of a common condition.

Abstract

Migrainous infarction is a rare neurologic condition that stems from an ordinary migraine with aura, and can cause ischemic stroke in young women. The pathophysiology of migrainous infarction is not entirely understood. An aura that is similar to previous auras but lasts longer than 60 minutes, along with evidence of acute ischemia on MRI, are diagnostic of migrainous infarction. Treatment aimed at minimizing migraine with aura is the most important preventive measure clinicians can take to help patients avoid this complication of migraine.