Hemicrania continua (HC) is a rare primary headache disorder, characterized by persistent unilateral pain associated with cranial autonomic symptoms and prompt response to indomethacin. While migrainous features (including aura) have been recognized in cluster headache, there have been only single reports of HC with aura. Here, we report the case of a 53-year-old man with constant right-sided headache and superimposed exacerbations to severe pain lasting for several hours. Secondary etiologies were excluded, and a diagnosis of HC was established after prompt and complete response to treatment with indomethacin. During an episode of pain exacerbation, for the first time the patient experienced an episode of transient visual disturbances compatible with scintillating scotoma. We propose a potential link between HC and visual aura, which parallels similar observations in other trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and more specifically confirms previous observational data on aura in HC, thus highlighting potentially shared pathophysiological mechanisms.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5903150 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000487881 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Epilepsia partialis continua in a child with disseminated tuberculosis: a case report and review of literature.
Ther Adv Infect Dis
December 2024
Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda 151001, India.
Tuberculosis can present myriad manifestations, affecting multiple organ systems. Common central nervous system (CNS) manifestations include vomiting, headache, blurred vision, neck stiffness, altered sensorium, seizures, and focal neurological deficits. Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is a rare manifestation of CNS tuberculosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWorld neurology updates: Other primary headache disorder - Treatment.
eNeurologicalSci
December 2024
NIHR King's Clinical Research Facility and Wolfson Sensory, Pain and Regeneration Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, UK.
•The trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias are a severe disabling form of primary headache disorders characterized by severe unilateral pain commonly associated with ipsilateral cranial autonomic features as well as a sense of restlessness or agitation, of which the most common is cluster headache.•Different forms of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias include cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania (PH), hemicrania continua (HC), short lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT)/short lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA) and are differentiated based on their duration and frequency•Triptans, such as sumatriptan by injection, high flow 100 % oxygen by face mask, or non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation, are mainstay acute treatments of attacks of cluster headache.•Interim preventive treatments to reduce attack frequency include a short course of high dose oral corticosteroids, local anesthetic/corticosteroid injection around the homolateral (to pain) greater occipital nerve or the CGRP monoclonal antibody galcanezumab.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurological and Systemic Pitfalls in the Diagnosis of Cluster Headaches: A Case-Based Review.
Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep
December 2024
Department of Neurology, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Science, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Article Synopsis
- The review highlights common mistakes in diagnosing primary cluster headaches (CHs) using seven case examples to illustrate these pitfalls.
- Recent findings suggest that while CHs and migraines share some similarities, such as genetic factors and autonomic features, they also have distinct characteristics that can aid in differentiation.
- Key clinical features, such as restlessness during attacks, are crucial for diagnosing CHs and distinguishing them from other headache disorders, particularly within the group of Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias (TACs).
Pharmacological Dissociation in Hemicrania Continua With Persistent Visual Aura Evolved From Episodic Migraine: A Case Report.
Neurologist
November 2024
Hartford HealthCare Headache Center, Ayer Neuroscience Institute, West Hartford.
Article Synopsis
- A case study reports a 54-year-old man with a history of episodic migraine who developed hemicrania continua (HC) and persistent visual aura lasting 15 months, with his aura symptoms only improving after treatment with divalproex sodium.
- Visual aura, usually specific to migraine, has been linked to HC, but in this case, the aura continued despite successful headache treatment with indomethacin, indicating different underlying mechanisms.
- The findings suggest that while migraine and HC might share common origins, the persistent visual aura appears to arise from separate processes needing distinct treatment approaches.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!