1.2.3 Typical aura without headache

Description:

Typical aura consisting of visual and/or sensory symptoms with or without speech symptoms. Gradual development, duration no longer than one hour, a mix of positive and negative features and complete reversibility characterise the aura which is not associated with headache.

Diagnostic criteria:

A. At least 2 attacks fulfilling criteria B-D

B. Aura consisting of at least one of the following, with or without speech disturbance but no motor weakness:

1. fully reversible visual symptoms including positive features (eg, flickering lights, spots or lines) and/or negative features (ie, loss of vision)

2. fully reversible sensory symptoms including positive features (ie, pins and needles) and/or negative features (ie, numbness)

C. At least two of the following:

1. homonymous visual symptoms and/or unilateral sensory symptoms

2. at least one aura symptom develops gradually over 5 minutes and/or different aura symptoms occur in succession over 5 minutes

3. each symptom lasts 5 and 60 minutes

D. Headache does not occur during aura nor follow aura within 60 minutes

E. Not attributed to another disorder

© 2003 International Headache Society (quoted from International Headache Society, 2004)

References

International Headache Society. The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition. Cephalalgia 2004; 24 (suppl. 1): 1-160.

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