The case of a "young stroke" affecting a 22 years old man is reported. Essential clinical features were drowsiness, headache, motor aphasia, right hemiparesis and Claude-Bernard-Horner in the left eye. An extensive investigative protocol was carried out which revealed an occlusion of the intracranial left ICA with subsequent recanalization. The possible causes of the stroke (migraine, dissection or combination of both) are discussed and the importance of a complete evaluation of patients of this kind is stressed.