What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• PAI (Persistent Aura without Infarction)

What is Persistent Aura without Infarction? (Definition/Background Information)

• Persistent Aura without Infarction (PAI) is described as a complication of migraine that is marked by persisting aura symptoms for 7 days or more, in the absence of an infarction on radiological imaging studies of the head and neck region (brain)
• An infarction indicates tissue death (or necrosis) in the absence of adequate blood supply to the region. The ‘aura’ is a temporary phenomenon that is typically onset between 20 to 60 minutes prior to a migraine attack
• Persistent Aura without Infarction is an uncommon occurrence but may last for several months to years. Usually, both sides of the head are involved. It may occur in individuals of any age group

The criteria for diagnosis of Persistent Aura without Infarction as outlined by the International Headache Society (IHS) is given below:

• Aura fulfilling the criterion below
• Occurring in a patient with “migraine with aura” and typical of previous auras except that one or more aura symptoms persists for 1 week or more
• Neuroimaging shows no evidence of infarction
• Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis

(Source: International Headache Society Classification ICHD-3, London, United Kingdom)

Differential diagnosis to exclude the following conditions must be undertaken:

• Migrainous infarction
• Symptomatic aura due to cerebral infarction, as a result of other underlying causes