"32F with scintillating scotoma & throbbing hemicrania."
Patient History
A 32-year-old female Software Engineer presents with I keep getting these terrible headaches on one side of my head, about 3 to 4 times a month for the past 6 months. Before the headache starts, I see flashing zigzag lines in my vision for about 20 minutes. Today's headache is really bad and I had to leave work early.. It started around 11 AM this morning.
Clinical Examination & Labs
First I noticed zigzag shimmering lines in my vision, like a cracked mirror, spreading from the center outwards. That lasted about 20 to 25 minutes, and then the headache hit me on the right side. It is a throbbing, pulsating pain on the right side of my head, mostly around my temple and behind my right eye. It feels like my head is pounding with each heartbeat.