Background: Although migraine usually begins in the early decades of life, late onset of migraine with aura is occasionally observed and can occur without headache, causing confusion in the differential diagnosis.
Case report: A 72-year-old man presented with recurrent episodes of visual aura lasting for 20 minutes. These episodes had started at 57 years of age and were only once accompanied by a severe headache. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed changes in the periventricular white matter, left occipital haemorrhage and subcortical haemosiderin deposits, compatible with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Previous treatment with antiplatelet drugs was discontinued. His episodes of visual aura stopped on treatment with lamotrigine and add-on treatment with verapamil.
Conclusion: In patients with a late onset of migraine aura, doctors must consider other under-recognized causes of transient neurological symptoms, such as cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Blood-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging sequences are the best tool for the early detection of an underlying pathology and therefore treatment with antiplatelet/anticoagulant drugs should be avoided as this may increase the risk of haemorrhage.
Keywords: Amyloid spells; cerebral amyloid angiopathy; late onset aura; transient focal neurological episodes; typical aura without headache.
© International Headache Society 2015.