International Journal of Case Reports and Images (IJCRI) is an international, peer reviewed, monthly, open access, online journal, publishing high-quality, articles in all areas of basic medical sciences and clinical specialties.Aim of IJCRI is to encourage the publication of new information by providing a platform for reporting of unique, unusual and rare cases which enhance understanding of disease process, its diagnosis, management and clinico-pathologic correlations. Migraine with aura is defined as a recurrent disorder manifesting in attacks of reversible focal neurological symptoms that usually develop gradually, last for less than 60 minutes and is followed by characteristic headache and vegetative symptoms. Acute aphasia is a well-known aura symptom. We present a case of an acute focal neurologic deficit in which perfusion imaging proved helpful in rapid decision making for the appropriate treatment by identifying the syndrome as a stroke mimic. Case Report: A 24-year-old male student was admitted with global aphasia and headache precluding any interview for the patient's medical history. Initial perfusion computed tomography scan showed hypoperfusion in the entire left hemisphere, pronounced in the left occipitotemporal lobe and Broca's area. This pattern which was not restricted to a vascular territory and hypoperfusion above critical ischemia guided us in classifying the deficit as a stroke mimic, specifically as migraine aura.
Conclusion:In the hyperacute phase of stroke-like symptoms, multimodal computed tomography scan can add valuable information for differentiating ischemic stroke from stroke mimics and support treatment decision-making.