Migraine Diagnosis
International Headache Society (IHS) Criteria for Migraine without Aura
At least 5 attacks fulling:
- Episodic headache lasting 4-72 hours
- Any 2 of:
- Moderate or severe pain
- Worsening by movement or routine physical activity
- Unilateral
- Throbbing (pulsatile quality)
- Any 1 of:
- Photophobia (light sensitive) and phonophobia (sound sensitive)
- Nausea or vomiting
Other considerations
- 40% of migraine patients experience bilateral pain
- Pain may also be felt in the back of the neck, on the face, or around the sinuses
- Approximately 20% of patients with migraines experience aura
Indications for CT and MRI Scans in Headache Diagnosis
Diagnostic tests such as CT scans, MRI scans, and blood studies typically yield little data relevant to pathophysiology of primary (benign) headaches (e.g. migraine, tension-type, and cluster).
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