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Table 5. International Classification of Headache Disorders
(ICHD) Diagnostic Criteria for Migraine (cont'd)
1.2 Migraine with aura
Previously used terms:
Classic or classical migraine ophthalmic, hemiparaesthetic, hemiplegic or aphasic
migraine, migraine accompagnée, complicated migraine.
Description:
Recurrent attacks, lasting minutes, of unilateral fully reversible visual, sensory, or
other central nervous system symptoms that usually develop gradually and are usually
followed by headache and associated migraine symptoms.
Diagnostic criteria:
a. At least two attacks fulfilling criteria B and C
b. One or more of the following fully reversible aura symptoms:
1. visual
2. sensory
3. speech and/or language
4. motor
5. brainstem
6. retinal
c. At least three of the following six characteristics:
1. at least one aura symptom spreads gradually over ≥5 minutes
2. two or more aura symptoms occur in succession
3. each individual aura symptom lasts 5–60 minutes
1
4. at least one aura symptom is unilateral
2
5. at least one aura symptom is positive
3
6. the aura is accompanied, or followed within 60 minutes, by headache
d. Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis.
Notes:
1. When, for example, three symptoms occur during an aura, the acceptable maximal duration is
3×60 minutes. Motor symptoms may last up to 72 hours.
2. Aphasia is always regarded as a unilateral symptom; dysarthria may or may not be.
3. Scintillations and pins and needles are positive symptoms of aura.
* Adapted from International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) Diagnostic Criteria for
Migraine.
