ABSTRACT
New daily persistent headache (NDPH) is an idiopathic headache syndrome characterized by the abrupt onset of an unremitting, daily, continuous headache without an antecedent escalating headache pattern, and not attributable to other primary or secondary headache disorders. We review the history of NDPH in terms of its characterization and classification, and then interview Dr. Walter Vanast, the neurologist who initially described NDPH three decades ago, to gain his perspective now that there is more widespread recognition and interest in this syndrome.
Subject(s)
Headache Disorders/history , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Interviews as TopicABSTRACT
This article overviews headache and brain tumors, particularly from the diagnostic point of view of patients presenting with headache as their major symptom. Common and uncommon brain tumors can produce headache and investigation is warranted if any red flags are present. An overview of particular tumors and their presentations are covered along with some investigative suggestions and pertinent treatment strategies for some patients.
Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/diagnosis , Early Diagnosis , Headache/etiology , Brain Neoplasms/complications , Brain Neoplasms/therapy , Headache/therapy , Humans , Neuroimaging , RiskABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Migrainous infarction accounts for 12.8% of ischemic strokes of unusual etiology. CASE REPORT: A 59-year-old woman with longstanding migraine with aura experienced what appeared to be migrainous infarction characterized by dysmetropsia and transient Cotard's syndrome. Imaging demonstrated right temporal-parietal-occipital changes with apparent cortical laminar necrosis. CONCLUSION: The spectrum of the pathophysiology of migrainous infarction has not been established; however, cortical spreading depression may explain the appearance of imaging findings that do not obey a vascular territory.
ABSTRACT
The International Classification of Headache Disorders-II considers dangerous and thunderclap headaches as secondary headaches--in other words due to an underlying cause. Many, but not all of the underlying etiologies, are vascular disorders, and many are potentially life threatening. An especially comprehensive clinical approach is necessary when seeing patients with these potential disorders.
Subject(s)
Headache Disorders, Primary/diagnosis , Headache Disorders, Secondary/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Headache Disorders, Primary/etiology , Headache Disorders, Secondary/etiology , HumansABSTRACT
The 53rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society was held in Washington from June 2 to 5, 2011. Important clinical and basic science information was presented at this meeting. This is a review of the highlights of that meeting dealing in many areas of headache medicine. Once again, this meeting, which is the premier scientific meeting of the American Headache Society, provided lots of new and exciting information about multiple facets of migraine headache and other disorders.
Subject(s)
Headache , Societies, Medical , Biomedical Research , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Migraine aura, made up of one or more neurological symptoms arising from the cortex or brainstem, is a complex neurological phenomenon. Visual aura is the most frequent aura manifestation. Studying the subjective components of visual aura makes it possible to identify common characteristics. OBJECTIVE: To thoroughly describe the characteristics of migraine visual aura in patients with migraine with aura. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, descriptive study of the visual aura of 122 migraine patients collected at two headache clinics in the Americas. This study was designed to determine the characteristics of a typical visual aura. RESULTS: The most common features of the visual aura in our study are that it occurs before the headache with a gap of less than 30 minutes, lasts 5 to 30 minutes, has a gradual onset, usually begins peripherally, is unilateral, and shimmers. Furthermore, the location of typical visual aura in the visual field has no fixed relationship to headache laterality, is slightly more often without color, and is often described as small bright dots and zigzag lines. Blurred vision, not typically considered to be an aura phenomenon of cortical origin, is in fact the most frequently reported visual symptom. CONCLUSIONS: Migraine visual aura is heterogeneous and pleomorphic, and some of our findings run contrary to common beliefs.
