SUNCT/SUNA: Case series presenting in an orofacial pain clinic.

AIM: Little is known about short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA). We present our experience with SUNCT/SUNA patients to aid identification and management of these disorders. METHODS: A retrospective review of patient records of one orofacial pain clinic was performed. Inclusion criteria was a diagnosis of SUNCT/SUNA confirmed with at least one follow-up visit. RESULTS: Six of the 2464 new patients seen between 2015-2018 met the selection criteria (SUNCT n = 2, SUNA n = 4). Gender distribution was one male to one female and average age of diagnosis was 52 years (range 26-62). Attacks were located in the V1/V2 trigeminal distributions, and five patients reported associated intraoral pain. Pain quality was sharp, shooting, and burning with two patients reporting "numbness". Pain was moderate-severe in intensity, with daily episodes that typically lasted for seconds. Common autonomic features were lacrimation, conjunctival injection, rhinorrhea, and flushing. Frequent triggers were touching the nose or a specific intraoral area. Lamotrigine and gabapentin were commonly used as initial therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Differentiating between SUNCT/SUNA does not appear to be clinically relevant. Presenting symptoms were consistent with those published, except 5/6 patients describing intraoral pain and two patients describing paresthesia.

Chronic orofacial pain.

While pain chronicity in general has been defined as pain lasting for more than 3 months, this definition is not useful in orofacial pain (OFP) and headache (HA). Instead, chronicity in OFP and HA is defined as pain occurring on more than 15 days per month and lasting for more than 4 h daily for at least the last 3 months. This definition excludes the periodic shortlasting pains that often recur in the face and head, but are not essentially chronic. Although the headache field has adopted this definition, chronic orofacial pain is still poorly defined. In this article, we discuss current thinking of chronicity in pain and examine the term 'chronic orofacial pain' (COFP). We discuss the entities that make up COFP and analyze the term's usefulness in clinical practice and epidemiology.

Diagnostic and classification tools for chronic headache disorders: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND OR AIM: Despite guidelines and the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-III beta) criteria, the diagnosis of common chronic headache disorders can be challenging for non-expert clinicians. The aim of the review was to identify headache classification tools that could be used by a non-expert clinician to classify common chronic disorders in primary care. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review of studies validating diagnostic and classification headache tools published between Jan 1988 and June 2016 from key databases: MEDLINE, ASSIA, Embase, Web of Knowledge and PsycINFO. Quality assessment was assessed using items of the Quality of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2). RESULTS: The search identified 38 papers reporting the validation of 30 tools designed to diagnose, classify or screen for headache disorders; nine for multiple headache types, and 21 for one headache type only. We did not identify a tool validated in a primary care that can be used by a non-expert clinician to classify common chronic headache disorders and screen for primary headaches other than migraine and tension-type headache in primary care. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the availability of many headache classification tools we propose the need for a tool that could support primary care clinicians in diagnosing and managing chronic headache disorders within primary care, and allow more targeted referral to headache specialists.

Chronic Headache Education and Self-management Study (CHESS) - a mixed method feasibility study to inform the design of a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Self-management support programmes are effective in a range of chronic conditions however there is limited evidence for their use in the treatment of chronic headaches. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of four key aspects of a planned, future evaluative trial of a new education and self-management intervention for people with chronic headache: 1) recruiting people with chronic headache from primary care; 2) a telephone interview for the classification of chronic headaches; 3) the education and self-management intervention itself; and 4) the most appropriate patient reported outcomes (PROMS). METHODS: Participants were identified and recruited from general practices in the West Midlands of the UK. We developed a nurse-led chronic headache classification interview and assessed agreement with an interview with headache specialists. We developed and tested a group based education and self-management intervention to assess training and delivery receipt using observation, facilitator, and participant feedback. We explored the acceptability and relevance of PROMs using postal questionnaires, interviews and a smartphone app. RESULTS: Fourteen practices took part in the study and participant recruitment equated to 1.0/1000 registered patients. Challenges to recruitment were identified. We did 107 paired headache classification interviews. The level of agreement between nurse and doctor interviews was very good. We piloted the intervention in four groups with 18 participants. Qualitative feedback from participants and facilitators helped refine the intervention including shortening the overall intervention and increasing the facilitator training time. Participants completed 131 baseline questionnaires, measurement data quality, reliability and validity for headache-specific and generic measures was acceptable. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that recruiting people with chronic headache from primary care is feasible but challenging, our headache classification interview is fit for purpose, our study intervention is viable, and that our choice of outcome measures is acceptable to participants in a future randomised controlled trial (RCT). TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN, ISRCTN79708100. Registered 16th December 2015, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN79708100.

Development and validation of a telephone classification interview for common chronic headache disorders.

BACKGROUND: For a trial of supportive self-management for people with chronic headache we needed to develop and validate a telephone classification interview that can be used by a non-headache specialist to classify common chronic headache types in primary care. We aimed to specifically: exclude secondary headaches other than medication overuse, exclude primary headache disorders other than migraine and tension type headache (TTH), distinguish between chronic migraine and chronic TTH, and identify medication overuse headache. METHODS: We held a headache classification consensus conference to draw on evidence and expertise to inform the content of a logic model underpinning the classification interview. Nurses trained to use the logic model did telephone classification interviews with participants recruited from primary care. Doctors specialising in headache did a second validation interview. RESULTS: Twenty-six delegates attended the headache classification conference including headache specialist doctors, nurses and lay representatives (with chronic headache). We trained six nurses to do the classification interviews and completed 107 paired interviews, median days between interviews was 32 days (interquartile range 21-48 days). We measured level of agreement between the nurse and doctor interviews using proportion of concordance, simple kappa and prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK). Proportion of concordance of agreement between nurse and doctor interviews was 0.76, simple kappa coefficient κ 0.31 (95% CI, 0.09 to 0.52), and PABAK 0.51 (95% CI, 0.35 to 0.68), a moderate agreement. In a sensitivity test following review of headache characteristics recorded, concordance was 0.91, κ = 0.53 (95% CI, 0.28 to 0.79), and PABAK = 0.81 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.92), a very good agreement. CONCLUSION: We developed and validated a new evidence-based telephone classification interview that can be used by a non-headache specialist to classify common chronic headache types in primary care.

Cardiac cephalalgia: severe, non-exertional headache presenting as unstable angina.

Cardiac cephalalgia is a migraine-like headache that occurs during episodes of myocardial ischaemia. Clinical characteristics of the headache vary widely but are often severe in intensity, worsen with reduced myocardial perfusion and resolve with reperfusion. It can present along with typical symptoms of angina pectoris, although not always. We present a 64-year-old man with a 6-month history of severe, non-exertional headaches occurring with increasing frequency. A resting ECG showed ST elevation in the inferior leads. His serum troponin I was not elevated. Coronary angiography showed severe stenosis of his right coronary artery, which was successfully stented by percutaneous coronary intervention. He remains headache free at 2-year follow-up.

A Narrative Review of Persistent Post-Stroke Headache - A New Entry in the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd Edition.

BACKGROUND: Persistent post-stroke headache is a clinical entity that has recently entered the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. In contrast to acute headache attributed to stroke, the epidemiology, clinical features, potential pathophysiology, and management of persistent post-stroke headache have not been reviewed. METHODS: We summarize the literature describing persistent headache attributed to stroke. RESULTS: Persistent headache after ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke affects up to 23% of patients. These persistent headaches tend to have tension-type features and are more frequent and severe than acute stroke-related headaches. Risk factors include younger age, female sex, pre-existing headache disorder, and comorbid post-stroke fatigue or depression. Other factors including obstructive sleep apnea or musculoskeletal imbalances may contribute to headache persistence. Although more evidence is needed, it may be reasonable to treat persistent post-stroke headache according to headache semiology. CONCLUSION: Recognition of persistent post-stroke headache as a separate clinical entity from acute stroke-attributed headache is the first step toward better defining its natural history and most effective treatment strategies.

What Are We Missing in the Diagnostic Criteria for Migraine?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review is intended to examine how the diagnostic criteria for migraine have evolved over the past 45 years and to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the current diagnostic criteria promulgated by the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD). RECENT FINDINGS: The ICHD is a comprehensive and systematic classification system for headache disorders. As the pathophysiology of migraine is more fully elucidated and more sophisticated diagnostic technologies are developed (e.g., the identification of biomarkers), the current diagnostic criteria for migraine will likely be further refined. The ICHD has allowed for more precise research study design in the field of headache medicine. The current diagnostic criteria for migraine outlined in the 3rd version of the ICHD are far more sensitive and specific than the clinical criteria proposed in 1962. In future iterations, dividing episodic and chronic migraine into subtypes based on frequency (i.e., low frequency vs high frequency; near-daily vs daily) potentially could assist in guiding clinical management. In addition, a better understanding of aura, vestibular migraine, migrainous infarction, and hemiplegic migraine likely will lead to more refined diagnostic criteria for those entities.

Experts' opinion about the pediatric secondary headaches diagnostic criteria of the ICHD-3 beta.

BACKGROUND: The 2013 International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 was published in a beta version to allow clinicians to confirm the validity of the criteria or suggest improvements based on field studies. The aim of this work was to review the Secondary Headache Disorders and Cranial Neuralgias and Other Headache Disorders sections of ICHD-3 beta data on children and adolescents (age 0-18 years) and to suggest changes, additions, and amendments. METHODS: Several experts in childhood headache across the world applied different aspects of ICHD-3 beta in their normal clinical practice. Based on their personal experience and the available literature on pediatric headache, they made observations and proposed suggestions for the mentioned headache disorders on children and adolescents. RESULTS: Some headache disorders in children have specific features, which are different from adults that should be acknowledged and considered. Some features in children were found to be age-dependent: clinical characteristics, risks factors and etiologies have a strong bio psychosocial basis in children and adolescents making primary headache disorders in children distinct from those in adults. CONCLUSIONS: Several recommendations are presented in order to make ICHD-3 more appropriate for use in children.

Laboratory tests of headache disorders - dawn of a new era?

Context The classification of headache disorders has improved over the years, but further work is needed to develop and improve headache diagnosis within headache subtypes. The present review is a call for action to implement laboratory tests in the classification and management of primary and some secondary headaches. Background In this narrative review we present and discuss published tests that might be useful in phenotyping and/or diagnosis of long-lasting headache disorders such as migraine, tension-type headache, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, trigeminal neuralgia and persisting secondary headaches. Aim The palpometer test, quantitative sensory testing, nociceptive blink reflex and autonomic tests may be valuable to phenotype and/or diagnose subforms of migraine, tension-type headache, cluster headache, trigeminal neuralgia and medication-overuse headache. Provocation tests with glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) may be valuable in subclassification of migraine and cluster headache. Lumbar pressure monitoring and optical coherence tomography may valuable tools to diagnose and follow patients with chronic headache and raised intracranial pressure. Finding A number of laboratory tests in headache research are presently available, but have primarily been performed in single research studies or a few studies that differ in methods and patient groups. At present, there is no evidence-based strategy for implementing diagnostic tests, but this could be achieved if well-reputed tertiary headache centers commence developing and implementing laboratory tests in order to improve the classification and treatment of headache patients.

Classification of Headache Disorders: Extending to a Multiaxial System.

This article argues for extending the International Classification of Headache Disorders to include information that goes beyond diagnosis. The obvious model is a multiaxial system as has been developed for other taxonomies. An axis for recording disability and impact on functioning, and an axis for recording the triggers of headache/migraine, are perhaps the strongest contenders for adding to the system, but there are other possibilities such as lifestyle factors relevant to headache. Extensions such as these would contribute to headache management, provide clear targets for change, and encourage adoption of a biopsychosocial perspective.

Prevalence and Features of a Probable Diagnosis in First-Visit Headache Patients Based on the Criteria of the Third Beta Edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders: A Prospective, Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the characteristics and significance of a probable diagnostic entity for primary headache disorder (PHD). BACKGROUND: A diagnosis of probable primary headache disorder (PPHD) is given when a patient's headache fulfills all but one criteria of the third beta edition of the international classification of headache disorder (ICHD-3ß). Despite the uncertainty regarding this diagnosis, the inclusion of a probable diagnosis entity in this manual may aid in the accurate classification of headache disorders and allow effective treatment strategies to be started at the patient's initial visit. METHODS: This cross-sectional multicenter registry study assessed first-visit patients with complaints of headaches who presented at the outpatient clinics of 11 neurologists in Korea. The classification of a headache disorder was made according to the criteria of the ICHD-3ß by each investigator based on the initial evaluation of the patient or by a consensus meeting for uncertain cases. The rates of a probable diagnosis among PPHD patients were assessed and the clinical characteristics of these patients were compared with those of patients with a diagnosis of definite primary headache disorder (DPHD). RESULTS: A total of 1429 patients were diagnosed with PHD, and 305 (21.3%) of these patients had PPHD. The proportions of PPHD differed among the subtypes of DPHD as follows: migraines (16.1%), tension-type headaches (TTH; 33%), trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC; 40.9%), and other PHD (14%, P < .001). Patients with PPHD had less severe headache intensity than patients with DPHD (5.8 ± 2.2 vs. 6.5 ± 2.1, respectively, P < .001) as well as a shorter duration of headache from onset (median: 1 vs. 4 months, respectively, P < .001). The most common criteria missing for a definite diagnosis in the PPHD patients were total frequency (52.1%), duration of attack (14.4%), and accompanying symptoms (13.1%). CONCLUSIONS: A probable diagnosis was given to 21.3% of the first-visit PHD patients due to incomplete or atypical presentations of the headaches. The incorporation of a probable diagnosis into the ICHD-3ß may be useful for reducing the diagnoses of unspecified headaches.

Comprehensive Application of the International Classification of Headache Disorders Third Edition, Beta Version.

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility and usefulness of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition, beta version (ICHD-3ß), and compare the differences with the International Classification of Headache Disorders, second edition (ICHD-2). Consecutive first-visit patients were recruited from 11 headache clinics in Korea. Headache classification was performed in accordance with ICHD-3ß. The characteristics of headaches were analyzed and the feasibility and usefulness of this version was assessed by the proportion of unclassified headache disorders compared with ICHD-2. A total of 1,627 patients were enrolled (mean age, 47.4±14.7 yr; 62.8% female). Classification by ICHD-3ß was achieved in 97.8% of headache patients, whereas 90.0% could be classified by ICHD-2. Primary headaches (n=1,429, 87.8%) were classified as follows: 697 migraines, 445 tension-type headaches, 22 cluster headaches, and 265 other primary headache disorders. Secondary headache or painful cranial neuropathies/other facial pains were diagnosed in 163 patients (10.0%). Only 2.2% were not classified by ICHD-3ß. The main reasons for missing classifications were insufficient information (1.6%) or absence of suitable classification (0.6%). The diagnoses differed from those using ICHD-2 in 243 patients (14.9%). Among them, 165 patients were newly classified from unclassified with ICHD-2 because of the relaxation of the previous strict criteria or the introduction of a new diagnostic category. ICHD-3ß would yield a higher classification rate than its previous version, ICHD-2. ICHD-3ß is applicable in clinical practice for first-visit headache patients of a referral hospital.

Chronic headaches: a clinician's experience of ICHD-3 beta.

The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version) has significantly improved the categorization of chronic headaches. From a clinical standpoint, however, it still has a few limitations, both general and specific. Among the former is the fact that international headache classifications are aimed less at defining the disease than at characterizing the features of attacks, meaning that their structure is ill suited to dealing with chronic headaches where the patient must be the focus of the discussion. Among the latter is the fact that the diagnostic criteria for chronic migraine do not distinguish between cases differing widely in severity and that the issue of whether medication overuse headache can be considered an autonomous entity is still unsolved. We propose that changes be made in the systematizations of chronic migraine and medication overuse headache to make them more consistent with clinical practice.

Headache attributed to intracranial pressure alterations: applicability of the International Classification of Headache Disorders ICHD-3 beta version versus ICHD-2.

The association between headache and changes in intracranial pressure is strong in clinical practice. Syndromes associated with abnormalities of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure include spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). In 2013, the Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) published the third International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3 beta version). The aim of this study was to investigate applicability of the new ICHD-3 versus ICHD-2 criteria in a clinical sample of patients with intracranial pressure (ICP) alterations. Patients admitted at our Headache Center for headache evaluation in whom a diagnosis of ICP alterations was performed were reviewed. 71 consecutive patients were studied. 40 patients (Group A) were diagnosed as IIH, 22 (Group B) as SIH, 7 (Group C) and 2 (Group D), respectively, as symptomatic intracranial hypertension and symptomatic intracranial hypotension. Main headache features were: in Group A, daily or nearly-daily headache (100 %) with diffuse/non-pulsating pain (73 %), aggravated by coughing/straining (54 %) and migrainous-associated symptoms (43 %). In Group B, an orthostatic headache (100 %) with nausea (29 %), vomiting (24 %), hearing disturbance (33 %), neck pain (48 %), hypacusia (24 %), photophobia (22 %) was reported. In Group C, a diffuse non-pulsating headache was present in 95 % with vomiting (25 %), sixth nerve palsy (14 %) and tinnitus (29 %). In Group D, an orthostatic headache with neck stiffness was reported by 100 %. Regarding applicability of ICHD-2 criteria in Group A, 73 % of the patients fitted criterion A; 100 %, criterion B; 100 %, criterion C; and 75 %, criterion D; while applying ICHD-3 beta version criteria, 100 % fitted criterion A; 97.5 %, criterion B; 100 %, criterion C; and 100 %, criterion D. In Group B, application of ICHD-2 showed 91 % patients fitting criterion A; 100 %, criterion B; 100 %, criterion C; and 68 %, criterion D; while applying ICHD-3 beta version all patients, 100 % fitted criterion A, B, C, D. 73 % patients of Group A fitted all ICHD-2 criteria and 97.5 % all ICHD-3 beta version criteria for headache attributed to IIH. 68 % patients of Group B fitted all ICHD-2 criteria and 100 % all ICHD-3 beta version criteria for headache attributed to SIH. In Group C and Group D, although patients fitted some clinical criteria, the underlying disorder caused exclusion of both ICHD-2 and ICHD-3 beta version applicability for headache attributed to IIH and SIH; they were coded in criteria for the secondary headaches. In summary, ICHD-3 beta version seems to have better applicability but worse reliability in defining headache features in CSF alterations.

[Headache. Current status of research and treatment]. / Kopfschmerz. Aktueller Stand der Forschung und Versorgung.

The starting point for German headache research and clinical education was the engagement of D. Soyka in the 1970s, which enabled the foundation of the German Headache Society (DMKG) on 28 June 1979 and, some years later, the founding congress of the International Headache Society (IHS) in Munich 1982. As a result of these activities, in 1988 the first international classification of headache disorders was published. This classification was one of the major milestones in the development of basic as well as clinical headache research. In the following years, epidemiological studies all over the world showed a 1-year prevalence for headache of approximately 60%, making headaches one of the most frequent medical complaints. Basic research showed an involvement of serotonergic mechanisms in migraine pain and triptans were one of the first drugs designed to influence these mechanisms. Functional brain imaging studies in migraine patients further showed a cyclic modulation of the activity of brainstem areas independent of the current pain state. Various research groups were involved in the clarification of the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in migraine and cluster headache. A specific development in the German headache scene is the establishment of integrated headache centers and reflects the primarily multimodal treatment approach in Germany which contrasts with the settings in other countries. These successful developments are increasingly being undermined by the fact that the low financial support of headache research, for example, by the German science council is causing a decreasing interest in headache research, with the consequence that the clinical education of students as well as young medical doctors shows increasing deficits. The consequence for the future will be a deficit in the clinical care of the population.

Cervicogenic headache: too important to be left un-diagnosed.

A comparison has been made between the cervicogenic headache criteria in the new IHS classification of headaches (3rd edition-beta version) and The Cervicogenic Headache International Study Group's (GHISG) criteria from 1998. In a more recent version, the CHISG criteria consist of 7 different items. While "core cases" of cervicogenic headache (CEH) usually fulfill all 7 criteria, the IHS classification--3rd edition beta version--fulfills only 3 criteria. Although the new three beta version represents an improvement from the previous one, it does not quite seem to live up to the expectations for a diagnostic system for routine, clinical use.

Characteristics of the first 2,000 patients registered in a specialist headache clinic.

OBJECTIVES: Headache is a common cause of medical consultations. We aim to analyze demographic characteristics of first two thousand patients in our register, and the incidence of their different headaches coded according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, ii edition (ICHD-II). PATIENTS AND METHODS: On January 2008 a headache outpatient clinic was established in a tertiary hospital. Patients could be referred by general practitioners according to previously consensused criteria, as well as by general neurology or other specialities clinics. The following variables were prospectively collected on all patients; age, sex, referral source, complementary tests required, and the previously prescribed symptomatic or prophylactic therapies. All headaches were classified accordingly to ICHD-II. When a patient fulfilled criteria for more than one type of headache, all of them were diagnosed and classified. RESULTS: In October 2012, 2000 patients (ratio women/men 2.59/1) had been seen in our headache clinic. The median age was 42 years (range: 11-94), 55.3% were referred from primary care, and 68.1% did not require complementary tests. A total of 3095 headaches were recorded in these 2000 patients, of which 2222 (71.8%) were considered primary headaches, 382 (12.3%) secondary headaches, with 117 (3.8%) corresponding to cranial neuralgias, 136 (4.3%) were unclassified headaches, and 238 (7.7%) were included in the research Appendix of the ICHD-II. The most represented group was 1 (migraine) with 53% of all headaches. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of first 2000 patients in our register were comparable to those previously described in other types of headache outpatient clinics. Migraine was the most frequent diagnosis, and secondary headaches were not as frequent in our series. Most headaches could be coded according to ICHD-II criteria.

Concomitant occurrence of different trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias: a case series and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: The trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) subsume four primary headache disorders. Hemicrania continua is increasingly regarded as an additional TAC. In rare cases patients may present with two different TACs or a TAC and hemicrania continua. CASES: We report four patients with two different TACs or one TAC and hemicrania continua. Two patients presented with cluster headache and paroxysmal hemicrania, one patient with cluster headache and hemicrania continua, and one patient suffered from cluster headache and SUNCT. DISCUSSION: While the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II) proposes specific diagnostic criteria, the variability of clinical presentation may make clear diagnosis difficult. All patients fulfilled the ICHD-II criteria. The manifestation of two different TACs or hemicrania continua in one patient is uncommon but possible and should be taken into account especially when chronic headache patients present with changing headache symptoms.