Headache Review Santosh K. Dhungana JR Y1 Dept of GP& EM
Headache Review
Santosh K. Dhungana
JR Y1
Dept of GP& EM
scenario..
28/ F from Siraha, presented to GOPD with-
◦ h/o repeated headaches, left sided
◦ 2-3 episodes/ month, lasting 30 mins to hrs
◦ Variable pattern
◦ Increased severity during menses
◦ Relieved by avoiding family members and
sleeping
Gives h/o multiple treatments at various
centers
All investigations- baseline, eye consult, CT,
EEG normal
She was accompanied by her husband
Has 3 children, lives in a joint family of 8
members
Can’t speak Nepali
headaches..
>10 mil doctor visits/ year, 2 mil ER visits in
US
One of primary symptom perpetuated/
exaggerated for 1˚/2˚ gain
Headache + backache-
◦ Leading cause of lost productivity and
absenteeism
◦ Loss of > $61 bil/ yr
JAMA, Nov 12, 2003
why worry?
a lot of people think headaches are
“normal”
take OTC drugs-
◦ Suppress symptoms
◦ curtain on “danger signs”
drug dependence
ADRs esp NSAIDs and kidney
Classification
Primary headaches-
those in which headache and its associated
features are the disorder in itself
secondary headaches-
those caused by exogenous disorders
◦ the International Headache Society (IHS)
Primary vs Secondary
headaches Tension type 69%
Migraine 16%
Idiopathic stabbing
2%
Exertional 1%
Cluster
0.1% • Systemic infection
63%
• Head injury
4%
• Vascular disorders
1%
• SAH
<1%OPD vs ER
anat and physio
pain perception-
◦ a normal physiologic response mediated
by a healthy nervous system
Pain occurs when
◦ peripheral pain receptors are stimulated in
response to tissue injury, visceral
distension or
◦ pain-producing pathways of the PNS/
CNS are damaged or activated
inappropriately
anat and physio
few cranial structures are pain-
sensitive-
◦ the scalp
◦ middle meningeal artery
◦ dural sinuses
◦ falx cerebri
◦ proximal segments of the large arteries
much of the brain parenchyma-no pain
clinical approach
History
A full description of the pain
site /radiation/ quality/ severity/ frequency/
duration/ onset and offset
precipitating factors
aggravating and relieving factors
associated symptoms
physical examination Inspect ◦ Head/ temporal arteries/ eyes
palpate◦ temporal arteries/ the face and neck muscles
◦ the cervical spine/ sinuses
◦ teeth and TMJ
signs of meningeal irritation and papilledema
A mental state examination◦ Mood/ anxiety /tension/ depression
Eye examination
Neurological examination◦ sensation and motor power in the face and limbs and
reflexes
red flag
"Worst" headache ever/ thunder clap
First severe headache
Abnormal neurologic examination
Fever or unexplained systemic signs
Vomiting that precedes headache
Pain induced by bending, lifting, coughing
Pain that disturbs sleep or presents immediately upon
awakening
age > 55
Headache with local tenderness- region of temporal
artery
secondary headache
some causes
URTI/ sinusitis
Meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess
Intracranial hemorrhage (SAH, epidural, subdural)
Brain tumor (cerebral, pituitary)
Temporal arteritis
Glaucoma, refractive errors
Ophthalmic herpes zoster
Cervical spondylosis
infections
URTI/ sinusitis◦ Most common cause of headache
Meningitis-◦ Bacterial, TB, fungal
Encephalitis-◦ Viral
brain abscess◦ Immune status
infections
Rule of thumb
◦ Acute, severe headache
with stiff neck + fever
Kernig’s / brudzinki
Meningococcal rashes
Dx-
◦ Blood, CSF, x-ray, CT, MRI
Tt-
◦ Urgent Abx
LP vs Abx- which first?
empirical therapy
Preterm infants to infants <1 month
◦ Ampicillin + cefotaxime
Infants 1–3 mo
◦ Ampicillin + cefotaxime or ceftriaxone
Immunocompetent children >3 mo and adults
<55
◦ Cefotaxime, ceftriaxone or cefepime + vancomycin
Adults >55 and adults of any age with
alcoholism or other debilitating illnesses
◦ Ampicillin + cefotaxime, ceftriaxone or cefepime +
vancomycin
head injury
Skull/ scalp
intracranial
◦ Concussion
◦ Contusion
◦ Hemorrhage- subdural, epidural
Dx-
◦ Local examination, neurological, x-ray, CSF, CT,
MRI
• Px- GCS, Hunt and Hess scale
Tt-
◦ General-ABCs, BP
◦ Urgent referral for ICU/ operative measures
SAH
Life threatening, 40% die before tt
Features-◦ Sudden onset
◦ Occipitalgeneralised
◦ Pain, neck stiffness
◦ vomitting LOC
◦ Kernig’s +
◦ “sentinel headache”
Dx-◦ CT
◦ LP if CT negative- frank blood vs xanthochromia
Mgmt- airway, BP ◦ Medical and surgical intervention
Grade Hunt-Hess Scale WFNS Scale
1 Mild headache, normal mental status,
no cranial nerve or motor findings
GCS score 15, no
motor deficits
2 Severe headache, normal mental
status, may have cranial nerve deficit
GCS score 13–14, no
motor deficits
3 Somnolent, confused, may have
cranial nerve or mild motor deficit
GCS score 13–14,
with motor deficits
4 Stupor, moderate to severe motor
deficit, may have intermittent reflex
posturing
GCS score 7–12, with
or without motor
deficits
5 Coma, reflex posturing or flaccid GCS score 3–6, with
or without motor
deficits
brain tumors
5-10 per 100,000
Age- 2 peaks
Children <10yrs
Medulloblastoma
Astrocytoma
Glioma- brain stem
Age- 35- 60
• Meningioma
• Pituitary adenoma
• Mets from lung
• Glioma- cerebral
Inv- CT, MRI
temporal arteritis
AKA GCA, cranial arteritis
◦ Persistent unilat throbbing headache
◦ Over temporal and scalp
◦ Localized cord like thickening
◦ w or w/o loss of pulsation of temporal artery
◦ blurring of vision- danger sign!
Patho-
◦ Type of collagen disease
◦ Causes inflammation of extra-cranial vessels
Dx-◦ unilateral intermittent headache in 50 yr+ F>M
◦ fever
◦ Lab- high ESR, anemia
◦ Biopsy of STA (focal involvement)
◦ MRI best
Tx-◦ steroids
◦ Important to prevent blindness
◦ Prednisolone 50mg bid for 2-4 weeks
◦ Dose adjustment guided by CRP and ESR level
◦ May need 1- 2 yrs to resolve
glaucoma
Chronic elevation of IOP-
◦ Optic neuropathy
◦ Painless vs acutely painful
Dx-
◦ IOP measurement
◦ Cupping
Tx-
◦ topical adrenergic agonists, cholinergic agonists,
beta blockers, PG analogues, Laser
cervical spondylosis
Pain over nape of neck (-itis)
Palpable tenderness
Dx-
◦ clinical, x-ray, CT
Tx-
◦ NSAIDs, physio
post spinal headache
Cause- low ICP d/t CSF leak
Severe with N/ V
Tx-
◦ Bed rest
◦ Caffeine
◦ Blood patch
AMDA experience
primary headaches
some causes
Tension type
Migraine
Idiopathic stabbing
Exertional
Cluster
tension type headache
Aka muscle contraction headache
Symmetrical
Last for hours and recur daily
“tight band”/ heavy wt on top of head sensation
“invisible pillow” sign
More common in females (75%)
Onset: after rising, gets worse during day
Aggravating factors: stress, overwork
Relieving factors: alcohol
IHS criteria
At least 10 episodes
Each episode lasting 30 mins to 7 days
2 of the following 4
◦ Non-pulsating
◦ mild- mod intensity
◦ b/l location
◦ not ˄ by routine activity
Both of-
◦ No N/ V
◦ No photo/ phonophobia
Lasting <15 days/ month (<180 days/ yr)
Dx of exclusion
mgmt
patient education
massage
stress reduction
◦ relaxation therapy
◦ yoga or meditation classes
Analgesics- paracetamol, aspirin
migraine
Greek word meaning ‘pain involving half the head’
Very common (1 in 10 person)
F>M
Peak age 20- 50 yrs
Many types-
◦ Common
◦ Classic
◦ Complicated
◦ Unusual subtypes-
Hemiplegic, basilar, retinal, migranous stupor,
ophthalmoplegic, status migrainosus
classical features
Radiation: retro-orbital and occipital
Quality: intense and throbbing
Frequency: 1 to 2 per month
Duration: 4 to 72 hours (average 6 - 8 hours)
Onset: paroxysmal, often wakes with it
Offset: spontaneous (often after sleep)
Precipitating factors: tension, stress (commonest)
common migraine- IHS
criteria The patient should have had at least five of
these headaches
The headaches last 4 - 72 hours
The headache must have at least two of these-◦ unilateral location
◦ pulsing quality
◦ moderate or severe intensity, inhibiting or prohibiting daily activities
◦ headache worsened by routine physical activity
The headache must have at least two of these-◦ nausea and/or vomiting
◦ photophobia and phonophobia
Secondary causes of headache are excluded
classic migraine- IHS criteria
At least two attacks,
including at least 3 of the following
◦ reversible brain symptoms (cortical or brain stem)
◦ gradual development over 4 minutes
◦ aura duration less than 60 minutes
visual 25% (scintillation, scotoma, hemianopia)
sensory (unilateral paraesthesia)
◦ headache follows aura in less than 1 hour
migraine- triggers
• Foodstuffs - chocolate, oranges, tomatoes, citrus fruits, cheeses, gluten sensitivity (possible)
• Alcohol - especially red wine
• Drugs - vasodilators, oestrogens, monosodium glutamate, nitrites (‘hot dog’ headache), indomethacin, OCP
• Glare or bright light
• Emotional stress
• Head trauma (often minor), e.g. jarring - ‘footballer's migraine’
• Allergen
• Climatic change
• Excessive noise
• Strong perfume
Endogenous
• Tiredness, physical exhaustion, oversleeping
• Stress, relaxation after stress - ‘weekend migraine’
• Exercise
• Hormonal changes - puberty - menstruation
- climacteric
- pregnancy
• Hunger
• Familial tendency
• ? Personality factors
Practically any thing can trigger a migraine
headache!
the Migraine Disability assessment test
management- acute attack
Start as soon as you suspect
Complete rest in dark room
Cold-pack
Avoid triggering factors
medical management
• First line paracetamol or Dispirin 600-900 mg + metoclopramide
10mg
Paracetamol (in children)
NSAIDs
• Alternative -Ergotamine (helps about 80% of patients)
◦ oral Ergotamine 1 mg + caffeine 100 mg –Migril/ Cafergot
2 tabs stat
Repeat after 1 hr if necessary (max. 6 per day)
◦ Inhaler- 1 puff stat, repeat in 5 mins (max 6 puffs/ day)
◦ P/R-ergot 2mg + caffeine 100mg
◦ i/m- Dihydroergotamine 0.5-1.0 mg (give perinomfirst)
◦ Sumatriptan (a serotonin receptor agonist)-Migratan
Oral
50 - 100 mg at the time of prodrome
repeat in 2 hours if necessary
max 300 mg/24 hours
Nasal spray
10-20 mg per nostril (max 40mg/ day)
Subcutaneous
6mg stat
Repeat 1 hrly (max 12 mg/ day)
Severe attack – red flag
Review for other causes – SAH, CVA, drug abuse
Meds-
◦ Dihydroergotamine 0.5-1.0 mg +perinom 10 mg i/m
◦ Or sumatriptan 6mg s/c
◦ Or dihydroergotimine 0.5 mg + perinom 10 mg i/v
No ergot if triptan used within 6 hrs!
No triptan if ergot used within 24 hrs!
prophylaxis
When?
◦ 2 or more attacks/ month
◦ Disturbing daily activity
What?
◦ Propanolol 40mg bid/ tds (max 320 mg)
◦ TCA- amitriptylin 10mg hs (50-75 mg maintainance)
◦ Pizotifen 0.5- 2.0 mg hs
◦ Cyproheptadin
◦ Nifedipine
◦ Naproxen
◦ Gapapentin
◦ Sod. valproate
How long?
◦ Try single drug for at least 2 months
◦ No set time frame for termination of treatment
Add TCA (amitriptyline) to others
Alternatives medicines-
◦ herbal, homeopathy, chiropratice, naturopathy,
relaxation, massage
choice of initial drug
if low or normal weight - pizotifen
if hypertensive - a beta-blocker
if depressed or anxious - amitriptyline
if tension - a beta-blocker
if cervical spondylosis - naproxen
food-sensitive migraine - pizotifen
menstrual migraine - naproxen or ibuprofen
transformed migraine
progressive increase in frequency of migraine
attacks until the headache recurs daily.
The typical migraine features become modified-
resembles that of tension headache but with the
unilateral situation of migraine
Analgesic abuse can transform episodic migraine
into chronic daily headache
cluster headache
AKA migrainous neuralgia
Paroxysmal cluster of unilateral headache during
nights
Rhinorrhea/ lacrimation/ red eye/
Hallmark- predictable cyclical nature- “alarm clock
headache”
Male: female = 6:1
No visual problem
No nausea
mgmt
Acute◦ 100% oxygen inhalation
◦ Sumatriptan 6mg s/c or 20 mg intranasal
◦ Ergot inhalation
◦ Perinom 10 mg + dihydroergotamine 0.5 mg i/v
◦ Greater occipital nerve block
Prophylaxis◦ Ergotamine
◦ Prednisolone 50 mg x 10 days then lower
◦ Lithium 250mg bd
◦ Verapamil
other causes of headache
Mixed headache
Drug rebound headache
Hypertension headache
Pseudotumor cerebri
Cough and extertional
Gravitational
Coming back to the case
Female
Unilateral headache (but prolonged duration)
Isolation and sleep helps
Examination and inv- Normal
?
Stopped all meds
Started on TRIAD
Followed up for 3 consecutive OPD days..
Lost to follow up
Medication alone not enough
Non-pharmacological tt, pt education
Language/ education barrier
the children and elderly
Children
• Intercurrent infections
• Psychogenic
• Migraine
• Post-traumatic
Elderly
• Cervical dysfunction
• Cerebral tumour
• Temporal arteritis
• Subdural haemorrhage
references
John Murtagh's General Practice, 4th Edition
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18th Ed
An introduction to clinical emergency medicine- Mahadevan
uptodate 19.3
Diagnosis and management of headache in adults: summary
of SIGN guideline
BMJ 2008; 337
thank you