Non-hypothalamic cluster headache: the role of the greater occipital nerve in cluster headache pathogenesis

Cluster headache is marked by its circadian rhythmicity and the hypothalamus appears to have a significant influence over cluster pathogenesis. However, as not all cluster patients present in the same manner and not all respond to the same combination of medications, there is likely a nonhypothalamic form of cluster headache. A patient is presented who began to develop cluster headaches after receiving bilateral greater occipital nerve (GON) blockade. His headaches fit the IHS criteria for cluster headache but had some irregularities including frequent side shifting of pain, irregular duration and time of onset and the ability of the patient to sit completely still during a headache without any sense of agitation. This article will suggest that some forms of cluster headache are not primarily hypothalamic influenced and that the GON may play a significant role in cluster pathogenesis in some individuals.

Hypnic headache responsive to indomethacin: second Italian case

We report a case of hypnic headache (HH) fulfilling the criteria proposed by the revised IHS headache classification and rapidly responsive to indomethacin. The patient is a 70-year-old housewife who presented with a 7-year history of strictly nocturnal headache attacks. The headache occurred every night with a frequency of 1 to 2 attacks occurring between 03.00 and 04.00 a.m. Indomethacin was prescribed at a daily dose of 150 mg/day for 30 days and tapered down in 15 days. Pain did not occur thereafter and at follow up, nine months after discontinuation of the drug, the patient was still pain-free with no relapses. This is the second Italian HH patient responsive to indomethacin, indicating that indomethacin may be a useful alternative treatment in HH patients, and providing further evidence in favour of a common pathophysiological mechanism in HH and other indomethacin-responsive primary headaches.

Sleep-Related Headache Syndromes

An association between headache and sleep is long recognized in the medical literature and deemed highly clinically relevant for at least a portion of headache sufferers. Sleep-related headaches are not well understood, but recent advances in the neurophysiology of sleep and headache shed light on common biological processes potentiating their association. Respective diagnostic nosologies for headache and sleep disorders offer limited guidance but are evolving to better represent the known associations. A rational approach based on the available empiricism can assist the clinician in the assessment and treatment of headache. Each headache evaluation should include at least a brief sleep history. Headaches that occur during or after sleep, so called morning headache, may be secondary to a sleep disorder and call for a specific treatment. This case is best established for sleep-related breathing disorders, and treatment of apnea often leads to resolution of the headache. Although pure sleep-related headaches, such as hypoxemia-related headache and hypnic headache, are less prevalent and more easily recognized, primary headaches are often impacted to some degree by sleep. Additionally, common headache medications and comorbid conditions alter sleep architecture. Management of primary headache may be facilitated by attention to sleep complaints.

Abrupt Onset and Termination of Cutaneous Allodynia (Central Sensitization) During Attacks of SUNCT

The presence of central sensitization and cutaneous allodynia has not been readily studied in other primary headache syndromes outside of migraine. If central sensitization does occur, is the temporal profile any different in the short-lasting more aggressive syndromes such as SUNCT than in migraine? A patient with SUNCT was examined during and in between attacks looking for the presence and duration of cutaneous allodynia.

[Hypnic headache as a primary short-lasting night headache: a report of two cases]

Hypnic headache is a rare type of primary short-lasting headache related to sleep. The pathogenesis of hypnic headache still remains unknown, but it may be a chronobiological disturbance or a response to a pineal circadian irregularity in which melatonin may play a role in resynchronizing biological rhythms to lifestyle. It is a moderate headache that appears during sleep with almost an alarm clock regularity and lasts up to 60 minutes. The headache is boring, unilateral or with diffuse location. Lithium carbonate and flunarizine show the best efficacy, caffeine and melatonin may also be useful. The author describes two cases of hypnic headache, which were effectively treated. A 45-year-old woman was treated with flunarizine and melatonin and a 65-year-old man was treated with flunarizine. The efficacy of flunarizine may be associated with the activation of D2 receptor and the added treatment with melatonin may hasten the good effect similar to that seen in our patient.

Deep brain stimulation to relieve drug-resistant SUNCT

The rare primary headache short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) is characterized by 3 to 200 attacks per day of severe unilateral orbital pain. Functional magnetic resonance imaging shows increased blood flow in the ipsilateral posterior inferior hypothalamus during attacks, indicating activation. We report the first patient with SUNCT in whom severe intractable pain (70 per day) was well controlled by electrode implant to and continuous stimulation of the posterior inferior hypothalamus. Ann Neurol 2005;57:925-927.

Muscle tenderness in different headache types and its relation to anxiety and depression

To assess in patients with migraine and tension type headache, both episodic and chronic, the extent to which muscle tenderness may relate to anxiety and depression, 459 patients with Episodic Migraine (EM, 125), Chronic Migraine (CM, 97), Episodic Tension Type Headache (ETTH, 82), Chronic Tension Type Headache (CTTH, 83), and EM+ETTH (72) were enrolled. For each patient, a psychological assessment on the Axis 1 of the DSM-IV and muscle palpation of pericranial and cervical muscles were carried out. A Pericranial Muscle Tenderness Score (PTS) and a Cervical Muscle Tenderness Score (CTS) were calculated (range 0-3). Logistic and linear regression analyses were employed to assess relations between muscle tenderness, the demographic variables and psychiatric disorders in the different patient groups. Odds ratio for 'male gender' was higher in groups with tension type headache. Only EM patients showed a positive association with increasing age. Anxiety and depression were significantly associated to CM. A significant negative correlation of PTS and CTS was observed in EM patients. In relation to male gender, the PTS was significantly lower in EM, ETTH and CTTH; CTS was significantly lower in EM, CM, and CTTH. Anxiety and, even more, anxiety and depression combined were positively associated to higher PTS and CTS in EM patients. Anxiety and depression were also positively associated to higher CTS in patients with EM+ETTH. In CTTH patients, PTS only was positively associated to anxiety and depression. We conclude that in patients with EM, the presence of anxiety or anxiety and depression combined considerably increases the level of muscle tenderness in the head and, even more, in the neck, and might facilitate the evolution into CM.

Hypnic headache syndrome: excessive periodic limb movements in polysomnography

We report a patient with hypnic headache syndrome associated with excessive periodic limb movements in sleep, which is a unique finding for this syndrome recorded in polysomnography. She had had daily hypnic headache attacks history for 10 years. Her headache attacks ceased immediately after lithium carbonate therapy and she has been headache-free for 5 months.

Impact of Headache on Quality of Life in a General Population Survey in France (GRIM2000 Study)

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of headache on health-related quality of life in a nationwide sample of the French general population using a disease-specific measure, the Qualité de Vie et Migraine (QVM), to compare quality of life in subjects reporting different headache to types, and to evaluate the relationship between quality of life and severity, frequency, associated disability, and treatment responsiveness of headaches.

METHODS

The QVM questionnaire was included within a large epidemiological survey of 1486 headache sufferers. Diagnosis was assigned retrospectively using an algorithm based on the International Headache Society classification. Headache severity was assessed with the MIGSEV scale and disability with the MIDAS scale.

RESULTS

The mean global QVM score in the sample was 80.2. Quality of life was poorer in subjects with chronic daily headache (QVM score: 66.2) than in those with migraine (QVM score: 76.7), while those with other forms of episodic headache had the best quality of life (QVM score: 91.7). Quality-of-life scores were correlated with frequency, severity, disability, and treatment resistance of headaches (P <.001).

CONCLUSION

The QVM scale is a sensitive tool to measure health-related quality of life in headache sufferers in the general population.

Headache with focal neurological signs or symptoms: a complicated differential diagnosis

Headache syndromes can be associated with focal neurological symptoms or signs. Good knowledge of primary headaches, a detailed history and a thorough clinical examination are prerequisites for their differential diagnosis. The neurological symptoms produced by the migraine aura are the most characteristic and recognisable. However, structural lesions, such as vascular malformations, can produce similar symptoms to migraine with aura, which highlights that paraclinical investigations are necessary in most patients with headache and focal neurological symptoms. In this review, we provide an overview of the differential diagnosis of the most common headache disorders with focal neurological symptoms or signs to refresh the practising neurologist's differential diagnostic knowledge for the clinical situation and to aid the teaching of neurology residents.

Botulinum toxin in migraine prophylaxis

Migraine is a chronic headache disorder manifesting in attacks lasting 4-72 hours. Characteristics of headache are unilateral location, pulsating quality, moderate or severe intensity, aggravation by routine physical activity, and association with nausea, photophobia and phonophobia. The migraine aura is a complex of neurological symptoms, which occurs just before or at the onset of migraine headache. Botulinum toxin A represents a completely new option for patients with chronic pain conditions. Numerous retrospective open-label chart reviews and 4 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have demonstrated that botulinum toxin type A is significantly effective in migraine prophylaxis and reduces the frequency, severity, and disability associated with migraine headaches. Studies have generally reported a good and consistent efficacy. The differential therapeutic use of botulinum toxin appears to be worth attempting in migraine patients with the following characteristic features: (1) Muscular stress as migraine trigger, e. g., in craniocervical dystonia, pericranial painful muscular trigger points or tender points, oromandibular dysfunction, (2) concurrent chronic tension-type headache with the aggravating factors of muscular stress or oromandibular dysfunction, (3) chronic migraine with frequent migraine attacks on more than 15 days per month for longer than 3 months and if other therapeutic options have been either ineffective or have not been tolerated. The use of the agent does not cause CNS side effects. Migraine patients in particular, often suffer greatly, as a result of the adverse effects of the drugs used, from fatigue, dizziness, reduced concentration, loss of appetite, weight gain, hair loss and changes in libido. These side effects are not known in association with botulinum toxin A. To date, neither organic damage nor allergic complications have been reported. Thus, both the tolerability and the safety of this therapeutic measure are high. The mode of action by which botulinum toxin is effective in migraine prophylaxis is not fully understood and is under investigation. Currently, a number of other randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trials are being conducted to evaluate the efficacy, optimal dosing, and side-effect profile of botulinum toxin type A in the prophylaxis of migraine and other headache entities.

Headache profile at a medical institution with a specialized center for headache management

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical characteristics of headache to determine the distribution of antimigraine medication use by specialty of treating physician and the cost of the treatment of headache, among suffers by type of employee (health professionals vs. others).

BACKGROUND

The services of a Headache Center are usually offered to the employees of the hospital in which the Center is localized; however, the number and related outcomes of employees who use the Center services versus those who use primary care facilities remain unknown in Puerto Rico.

METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 350 out of 415 (84.3%) employees of one of the private hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico regarding their management of headache. The data collected included age, gender, occupation, headache intensity and frequency, type of treating physician and medication use. Contingency tables were used to describe statistical associations among categorical variables. Pearson's chi square test or Fisher's exact test was used to assess significance.

RESULTS

Nearly 75% of employees suffers headaches on a regular basis. Among these, 25% classified the headache as severe, 20.3% had 5 or more attacks per month, 62.1% reported that productivity was affected and 85% lost 1-2 days of work per month due to headache attacks. Approximately 20% visit a physician when they suffer a headache, and more than one-third visits a specialist. Only 2.34% of the employees used antimigraine medications (triptans). The use of triptans was more common among those employees attending a specialist for headache treatment than those attending primary care physicians (p < 0.05). A similar finding was observed for employees attending a neurologist versus other physicians (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that headache attacks are prevalent and affect productivity and the cost for this institution was near dollars 4,400.00 per month. Despite the frequency and intensity of headache, less than one-fourth seek medical evaluation. Prescription ofspecific antimigraine medication was more common among specialists suggesting a more aggressive management for headache.

Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing syndrome: a review

The clinical features of short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) syndrome have been reviewed in 50 patients reported in the English language literature. SUNCT syndrome is a rare condition that predominates slightly in men. The mean age at onset is 50 years. It is characterized by strictly unilateral attacks centered on the orbital or periorbital regions, forehead, and temple. Generally, the pain is severe and neuralgic in character. The usual duration ranges from 5 to 250 seconds, although the reported range of duration is 2 seconds to 20 minutes. Ipsilateral conjunctival injection and lacrimation are present in most, but not all patients. Most patients are thought to have no refractory periods and this has probably been unreported in the past. Episodic and chronic forms of SUNCT exist. The attack frequency varies from less than one attack daily to more than 60 attacks per hour. The attacks are predominantly diurnal, although frequent nocturnal attacks can occur in some patients. A functional magnetic resonance imaging study in SUNCT syndrome has demonstrated ipsilateral hypothalamic activation. SUNCT was thought to be highly refractory to treatment. However, recent open-label trials of lamotrigine, gabapentin, topiramate, and intravenous lidocaine have produced beneficial therapeutic responses. These results offer the promise of better treatments for this syndrome, but require validation in controlled trials.

Sleep-related headache syndromes

The relationship between sleep and sleep disorders and headache remains unclear. Clinical experience and numerous studies document some sort of relationship, but the exact nature remains understudied and complex. Changes in sleep duration and sleep quality appear to be capable of affecting headaches of different types. Obstructive sleep apnea can cause or exacerbate headaches in a susceptible person. Obstructive sleep apnea also may cause a specific headache when awakening, which is different from migraine or tension headache and disappears after treatment of the sleep and breathing disturbance. Hypnic headache is another type of sleep-exclusive headache that has been proposed. Hypnic headaches are brief, moderately severe, and affect the elderly primarily.

Headache management program improves outcome for chronic headache

OBJECTIVE

To determine the feasibility of developing a headache management program and to assess the outcomes of patients referred to the program for treatment of chronic headache.

BACKGROUND

Effective headache treatment requires that the patient receives the correct headache diagnosis; that appropriate acute and, if indicated, preventive medications be prescribed; and that the patient receives adequate education, including headache self-management skills.

DESIGN/METHODS

A headache management program was established at a northern California staff-model health maintenance organization. Fifty-four patients were enrolled in the program and followed for 6 months. Patients participated in a structured program of group and individual sessions with the program manager. Data collection at baseline and 6 months included the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), a patient satisfaction survey, and 2 additional short surveys--one that assessed patient worries about their headaches and another that queried patients on their problems with headache management.

RESULTS

All enrolled patients participated in the initial group visit; 74% had at least one additional visit. All but one patient suffered from more than one headache type. Sixty-one percent of patients suffered from migraine headache and 98% from tension-type headache. At baseline, patients were severely disabled, with a mean MIDAS score of 41. At 6 months, MIDAS scores decreased an average of 21.2 points (P <.005). Patients reported 14.5 fewer days with headache over the preceding 3 months (P <.0001) and experienced clinically significant improvements in 6 of the SF-36 subscales. Patients were significantly more satisfied with their headache care (P <.0001), reported less problems with their headache management (P <.0001), and were less worried about their headaches (P <.01). During the intervention, emergency department visits for headache decreased (P <.02).

CONCLUSIONS

A headache management program was successfully established. Patients referred to the program experienced significant improvement in headache-related disability and functional health status and reported greater satisfaction with care. Even so, these results were obtained at one site and in a small sample that was not randomized. We currently are conducting a randomized controlled trial to better evaluate the clinical and financial impact of a headache management program for patients with chronic headache.

Use of the Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire in children and adolescents with headache: an Italian pilot study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the suitability of the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) Questionnaire for assessing disability in children and adolescents with headache and to obtain preliminary information about disability in different primary headaches.

BACKGROUND

During the last decade, researchers have begun to employ standardized methodologies to investigate the global impact of primary headaches. Disease-specific instruments have been developed to measure headache-related disability. The MIDAS Questionnaire, which is the most extensively studied of these instruments, was designed to assess the overall impact of headaches over the 3 months before compilation. The MIDAS Questionnaire is an optimal tool to assess headache-related disability in adults.

METHODS

Ninety-five patients aged 7 to 17 years with tension-type headache, migraine, or both completed the validated Italian form of the MIDAS questionnaire on 2 occasions. Test-retest reliability was assessed by the Spearman rank correlation test. The Cronbach alpha assessed internal consistency. The patients answered questions about the adequacy of the questionnaire.

RESULTS

The Cronbach alpha was.8. Correlation coefficients were generally high for the overall MIDAS score and for the items investigating disability in school and in family/leisure activities; they were lower for the items about housework. Most patients thought that the MIDAS Questionnaire was useful (98.9%) and that it captured the impact of their headaches (58.9%); 41% thought that questions about disability in housework were useless, 44.2% suggested adding questions regarding inability to do homework. All primary headaches had a considerable impact on daily activities, but patients with migraine tended to have lower headache frequencies and lower total disability time; those with tension-type headache suffered more days in which activities, although performed, were substantially impaired.

CONCLUSIONS

The MIDAS Questionnaire is useful for assessing disability in children and adolescents with different primary headaches. Minimal changes in the phrasing and content of the items would be sufficient to render the MIDAS specific for the younger population with headache.

Chronic daily headaches: clinical profile in Indian patients

Chronic daily headache (CDH) remains a relatively unexplored entity in India. Misconceptions are common, unnecessary investigations often done and inappropriate therapy prescribed. Analgesic overuse is seldom recognized. The present report appears to be the first of its kind from India. CDH has been defined as headaches occurring more than 15 days per month for more than 3 months (secondary causes excluded). Over 2 years (1998-1999) 849 cases (49.6% of all primary headaches) were seen. More than 1 year's follow-up data were available in 205 subjects (M 34; F 171). The distribution of these was as follows: (i), chronic tension-type headache (CTH), 33 (16.1%); (ii), chronic/transformed migraine (TM), 169 (82.4%); (iii), new persistent CDH, 3 (1.5%). There were 169 cases of TM (M : F 1 : 4.7; age 26-58 years). History of past episodic migraine was present in all. Transformation had been gradual (89.4%) or acute (10.6%). Possible factors in transformation included psychological stress (44.4%), analgesic overuse (28.4%), ergot overuse (4.1%). HRT seemed to be implicated in three female subjects. Analgesic overuse was limited between intake of 600 and 2400 mg of aspirin equivalent per day (mean 735 mg). Ergot overuse varied between 1 and 3 mg/day of ergotamine for > or = 3 days/week. With medical therapy approximately 70% TM and 40% CTH patients noted significant improvement. About 80% of these relapsed on therapy withdrawal. CDH in India is not uncommon. Analgesic/ergot overuse needs to be recognized early. The average dose of analgesic implicated in CDH seems much less compared with that reported in the West.

Headache associated with epileptic seizures: epidemiology and clinical characteristics

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence and characteristics of seizure-associated headaches and the modalities of treatment.

BACKGROUND

Systematic investigations of the characteristics of seizure-associated headaches are rare. Although data in the literature on the incidence of postictal headaches range between 37% and 51%, experiences with their treatment are limited and pathophysiological concepts do not exist.

METHODS

One hundred ten epileptic outpatients from an epilepsy referral center participated in a semi-standardized interview about headaches associated with epileptic seizures. The characteristics of these patients and of 15 additionally recruited patients with known postictal headaches were analyzed.

RESULTS

The incidence of seizure-associated headaches was 43% (n = 47). Forty-three patients had exclusively postictal headaches. One patient had exclusively preictal headaches. Three patients had both pre- and postictal headaches. The duration of postictal headaches was longer than 4 hours in 62.5% of the patients. In the majority of patients, postictal headaches occurred in more than 50% of the seizures. Postictal headaches were treated by self-medication in 19 patients (30%). No patient treated headaches according to a medical prescription. In 11 patients, postictal migraine was untreated. Postictal headaches were associated with focal seizures in 23 patients and/or with generalized seizures in 54 patients. According to the headache classification of the International Headache Society, headaches were classified as migraine-type in 34% of patients and as tension-type headache in 34% of patients. Headaches could not be classified in 21% of patients. Patients with and without postictal headaches did not differ as to localization of the epileptogenic zone or to the number of prescribed antiepileptic drugs. There was no relationship between the localization of the epileptogenic focus, localization of the headache, or the headache classification.

CONCLUSIONS

Headaches associated with partial and generalized seizures are frequent and undertreated. Treatment should consider both the headache syndrome and the general guidelines for treating primary headaches. The pathophysiology of seizure-associated headaches cannot be explained by the epileptic syndrome.

The burden of illness associated with headache disorders among young adults in a representative cohort study

This study investigated the functional impairment (work and social functioning and general health status) associated with migraine and tension-type headache (TTH) among young adult members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study. Using criteria based on the International Headache Society classificatory system, the 1-year prevalence for migraine headache was 7.4%, TTH was 11.1%, and combined headache (coexisting migraine and TTH) was 4.3%. All comparisons were against a health control group (headache free) and a diagnostic control group (individuals without headache currently using medication for asthma). Although those suffering from migraine and combined headache had the most severe impairment in work- and social-related activities, those with TTH reported significantly poorer social and mental health functioning and poorer emotional and physical functioning while performing everyday roles than did headache-free controls. Study members with combined headache had the poorest self-reported health, with significantly lower ratings on physical, vitality, and mental health measures than asthmatics currently using medication. The pervasive impairment reported across multiple life domains among young headache sufferers illustrates the significant burden of illness associated with headache disorders.

Chronic daily headache: identification of factors associated with induction and transformation

BACKGROUND

Chronic daily headache (CDH) is one of the more frequently encountered headache syndromes at major tertiary care centers. The analysis of factors related to the transformation from episodic to chronic migraine (CM) and to the de novo development of new daily persistent headache (NDPH) remain poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

To identify somatic factors and lifestyle factors associated with the development of CM and NDPH.

METHODS

We used a randomized case-control design to study the following groups: 1) CM with analgesic overuse (ARH), n = 399; 2) CM without analgesic overuse, n = 158; and 3) NDPH, n = 69. These groups were compared with two control groups: 1) episodic migraine, n = 100; and 2) chronic posttraumatic headache (CPTH); n = 65. Associated medical conditions were assessed. We investigated the case groups for any association with somatic or behavioral factors. Data were analyzed by the two-sided Fischer's exact test, with the odds ratio being calculated considering a 95% confidence interval using the approximation of Woolf.

RESULTS

When the active groups were compared with the episodic migraine group, the following associations were found: 1) ARH: hypertension and daily consumption of caffeine; 2) CM: allergies, asthma, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and daily consumption of caffeine; and 3) NDPH: allergies, asthma, hypothyroidism, and consumption of alcohol more than three times per week. The following associations were found when comparing the active groups with CPTH: 1) ARH: asthma and hypertension; 2) CM: allergies, asthma, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and daily consumption of caffeine; and 3) NDPH: allergies, asthma, hypothyroidism, and consumption of alcohol more than three times per week.

CONCLUSIONS

Several strong correlations were obtained between patients with specific types of CDH and certain somatic conditions or behaviors; some have not been previously described. Transformation of previously episodic headache or development of a NDPH thus may be related to certain medical conditions and behaviors beyond the frequently incriminated precipitant analgesic overuse. As similar results were obtained when CPTH was used as a control, the correlation is more complex than simple comorbidity.

Chronic daily headache in children and adolescents presenting to tertiary headache clinics

BACKGROUND

Adults with chronic daily headache often describe a transformation from episodic migraine and partial retention of migrainous features. Although chronic daily headache has not been investigated as carefully in the pediatric population, one study showed a predominance of coexisting daily headache and episodic migraine, without a clear history of transformation.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the clinical features of chronic daily headache in children and adolescents, to evaluate the efficacy of current headache classification criteria, and to compare the features of coexistent daily and episodic headaches so as to determine whether they represent separate syndromes or different stages in the "transformation" process.

DESIGN

We surveyed 189 consecutive patients, 18 years of age or younger, who presented for initial evaluation of daily or near daily headache at one of 9 tertiary headache clinics. Data were collected in semistructured interviews employing a standard questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Analysis Systems and Stata statistical software computer programs.

RESULTS

Of the patients enrolled, 70% were female and 87% were white. Mean age was 13.0 +/- 3.1 years. Male gender was associated with a higher degree of reported disability. A family history of headache (typically migraine) was described in 79%. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 5 days per week or more was reported by 44% of patients. The International Headache Society (IHS) criteria failed to classify 64% of patients and criteria proposed by Silberstein et al failed to classify 31% of patients. Participating physicians misclassified patients according to criteria of the IHS and Silberstein et al in one third of cases. Nearly one quarter of patients reported two separate headache types with distinguishing characteristics. "Baseline" headache was present 27.3 +/- 4.1 days per month with a mean pain intensity of 5.9 +/- 2.1 on a 10-point scale. Superimposed episodic headache occurred 4.7 +/- 3.8 days per month with a mean pain intensity of 8.4 +/- 1.4, and was more often accompanied by other migrainous symptoms. After logistic regression to control for pain intensity, the only statistically significant difference between the two headache types was a lower prevalence of tension-type head pain with the superimposed headache.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that rather than having two coexistent headache types, children and adolescents with chronic daily headache have a single syndrome that, in many cases, will paroxysmally worsen and gather migrainous features.

Headaches and their relationship to sleep

Despite the complex influences of normal sleep physiology and sleep disorders on the development or presentation of headache, it is important to recognize and understand these relationships. Successful outcomes depend on the provision of treatment interventions specifically directed toward each condition. Nocturnal or early morning headaches that are associated with OSA are often eradicated after the sleep disorder is successfully managed with CPAP, oral appliances, or surgery. Substantial improvement in headache can also result from the successful management of other sleep disorders that may incite headaches such as heavy snoring, PLMS, or the various forms of insomnia. To improve headache patterns associated with bruxism and TMD, it is often necessary to formulate a multidisciplinary treatment approach that combines oral appliance therapy, stress management, biofeedback, oromandibular physical therapy, and, at times, pharmacologic treatment (i.e., tricyclic antidepressant, intramuscular botulinum toxin injections). There are still many gaps in the understanding of the interrelationships of sleep physiology and headache pathophysiology. More well-designed clinical trials are needed so that enough data can be amassed for the formulation of evidence-based guidelines or consensus statements that can better delineate the identification, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of sleep-related headache disorders and headaches that develop as a consequence of disordered sleep.

Classification and diagnosis of facial pain

This is an interesting time to consider the classification of facial pain because of the emergence of new ideas that challenge our understanding of the mechanisms involved. The new hypotheses that have been proposed appear to be of clinical relevance.

Hypnic headache: report of two cases

Hypnic headache constitutes one rare type of primary short-lasting headache related to sleep. The authors describe two cases of hypnic headache that had a very good response to lithium carbonate. Although these two cases do not fulfill the proposed criteria for hypnic headache, as the pain was not bilateral, and, in case 2, it had a longer duration than previously described, we believe that the very good response to lithium carbonate favors this diagnosis. We believe that it is important to consider a diagnosis of hypnic headache because of the remarkable response to lithium carbonate shown by some patients with this condition.

Opiate use to control bowel motility may induce chronic daily headache in patients with migraine

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether opiate overuse might cause chronic daily headache in those with migraine, we studied patients who were taking codeine (or other opiates) for control of bowel motility after colectomy for ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND

Analgesic overuse is considered by many to be one factor which can result in the transformation of migraine into a chronic daily headache pattern. Most of the evidence for this comes from patients with migraine who are taking increasing amounts of analgesia for headache. Many of these patients revert to an intermittent migraine pattern once the analgesics are stopped.

METHODS

Women who were 1 year postcolectomy for ulcerative colitis were identified in several colorectal surgery practices in Calgary. They were sent a questionnaire designed to determine if they had a history of migraine prior to surgery, if they currently had chronic daily headache, what medications they were taking to control bowel motility, and what medications they were taking for headache.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients who met our inclusion criteria returned completed questionnaires. Eight of these exceeded the recommended limits for opiate use in patients with headache. Eight patients met diagnostic criteria for migraine. Two patients had chronic daily headache starting after surgery. Both used daily opiates beginning after their surgery, and both had a history of migraine. The other six patients who used opiates daily did not have a history of migraine and did not have chronic daily headache. All patients with migraine who used daily opiates to control bowel motility following surgery developed chronic daily headache after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with migraine who use daily opiates for any reason are at high risk of developing transformed migraine with chronic daily headache. This risk appears much lower in patients without a history of migraine who use opiates for nonpain indications.

Headache types and panic disorder: directionality and specificity

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship of migraine and other severe headaches with panic disorder.

METHODS

Representative samples of persons with migraine, non-migrainous severe headaches, and controls with no history of severe headaches, identified by a telephone survey, were interviewed in person, using a standardized psychiatric interview. Cox proportional hazards models with time-dependent covariates were used to examine the relationship of headaches with first-onset panic disorder and vice versa.

RESULTS

Lifetime prevalence of panic disorder was significantly higher in persons with migraine and in persons with other severe headaches, compared with controls. Migraine and other severe headaches were associated with an increased risk for first onset of panic disorder (hazards ratios = 3.55 and 5.75). Panic disorder was associated with an increased risk for first onset of migraine and for first onset of other severe headaches, although the influences in this direction were lower (hazards ratios = 2.10 and 1.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbidity of panic disorder is not specific to migraine and applies also to other severe headaches. The influence is primarily from headaches to panic disorders, with a weaker influence in the reverse direction. The bidirectional associations, despite the difference in the strength of the associations, suggest that shared environmental or genetic factors might be involved in the comorbidity of panic disorder with migraine and other severe headaches.

Amitriptyline reduces myofascial tenderness in patients with chronic tension-type headache

The tricyclic anti-depressant amitriptyline is widely used in the treatment of chronic tension-type headache. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the analgesic effect is caused by a reduction of muscle pain or by a general reduction of pain sensitivity. Thirty-three non-depressed patients with chronic tension-type headache were treated with amitriptyline 75 mg/day and with the highly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram 20 mg/day in a 32-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way crossover study. At the end of each treatment period, actual headache intensity and pericranial myofascial tenderness were recorded, pressure pain detection and tolerance thresholds were measured in the finger and in the temporal region and the electrical pain threshold was measured at the labial commissure. Amitriptyline reduced tenderness and headache intensity significantly more than placebo (P=0.01 and P=0.04, respectively). The reduction in tenderness could be ascribed solely to the group of patients who responded to amitriptyline treatment by at least 30% reduction in headache while tenderness was unchanged in non-responders. Amitriptyline did not affect pressure or electrical pain thresholds at any of the examined locations. Citalopram had no significant effect on any of the examined parameters. These findings indicate that amitriptyline elicits its analgesic effect in chronic myofascial pain by reducing the transmission of painful stimuli from myofascial tissues rather than by reducing overall pain sensitivity. We suggest that this effect is caused by a segmental reduction of central sensitization in combination with a peripheral anti-nociceptive action.

Possible predictive factors in the prognosis of migraine with aura

In order to identify possible predictive factors in the prognosis of migraine with aura (MA), we conducted a review at 10 to 20 years from referral on a sample of 77 MA patients (51 F, 26 M) consecutively seen for the first time at the University of Parma Headache Center. Based on the date of the last MA attack reported by these patients, we divided them into two study groups: a group of 22 patients "with remission of the disease," i.e. attack-free for at least 2 years at the end of the follow-up study; and a group of 55 patients "without remission of the disease," i.e. still having attacks in the last 2 years of the follow-up study. A comparative analysis of the MA clinical features observed in the two groups at the time of the patients' first visit to our Center enabled us to identify a number of favorable prognostic indicators, namely: a family history of parents with MA, the absence of other associated forms of primary headache, and the absence of both natural and artificial light stimulation as trigger factors.

Coexistence of cervicogenic headache and migraine without aura (?)

It is well known that migraine with aura may coexist with various unilateral headaches, like cluster headache and chronic paroxysmal hemicrania. It may also coexist with cervicogenic headache. The diagnosis of migraine without aura ("common migraine") poses greater problems than the diagnosis of migraine with aura. Cervicogenic headache diagnosis also poses problems when these two headaches coexist, since they have symptoms in common. Therefore, the scientific demonstration of coexistence of migraine without aura and cervicogenic headache is bound to be a difficult task. In the present study, migraine without aura and cervicogenic headache seemed to coexist in 4 patients (3 F and 1 M, mean age 50). Attacks with migraine characteristics fulfilled the IHS and IASP migraine criteria. Out of a maximum of 13 migraine characteristics based on the IHS/IASP migraine criteria, such as unilaterality, aggravation on minor physical activity, etc., none of the patients presented less than 11, as opposed to a mean of < or = 4 of these criteria in the cervicogenic type attacks. A similar system, based on criteria such as: reduction of range of motion in the neck, mechanical precipitation of attacks, etc., was also developed for cervicogenic headache. The mean number of cervicogenic headache criteria was 4.3 (out of a total of 5) in the "cervicogenic part of the picture", as opposed to 1.5 (1.8 if laterality is considered, see text) in the "migraine part of the picture". Drug regimens and anaesthetic blocks also showed different results in the two different headaches in the same patient. All in all, this study seems to support a coexistence of the two headache types.