One study found that the top 4 stroke mimics confused for a true stroke are: 1) Unrecognized seizure with post-ictal phase 2) Systemic infections 3) Brain tumor 4) Metabolic disturbances Complex migraine, specifically hemiplegic migraine, is also a common stroke mimic. This diagnosis is especially difficult to make on initial presentation and should be a diagnosis of exclusion. The hemiparesis associated with the migraine can actually outlast the actual headache. Libman RB, Wirkowski E, Alvir J, Rao TH. Conditions that mimic stroke in the emergency department. Implications for acute stroke trials. Archives of Neurology. 1995;52:1119-1122.
