Sporadic Hemiplegic Migraine

An uncommon presentation of a migraine headache is hemiplegic migraine, which can clinically imitate other conditions including transient ischemic attacks and stroke with unilateral muscle weakness or hemiplegia. We present a 46-year-old female patient who was admitted with symptoms of a unilateral occipital headache, dysphagia and left-sided motor weakness. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and brain tomography results were normal. A diagnosis of sporadic hemiplegic migraine was made after extensive workup and managed conservatively with solumedrol. The patient was discharged on prednisone and tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic solution with a drastic improvement in symptoms. On a follow-up visit, there was a complete resolution of symptoms.