Headache in cerebrovascular disease
Christopher Abissi1984, Stroke
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Abstract
Two hundred fifteen consecutive patients with cerebrovascular events were evaluated prospectively for the incidence and characteristics of headache. Of 163 patients able to communicate, headache occurred in 29% with bland infarcts, 57% with parenchymal hemorrhage, 36% with transient ischemic attacks and 17% with lacunar infarcts. Patients with a history of recurrent throbbing headache were significantly more likely to have headache, usually throbbing in quality, during the present illness. Women developed headache significantly more often than men. Headache began prior to the vascular event in 60% of patients and at its onset in 25%. The quality, onset and duration of the headache varied widely among patients. Headache in cerebrovascular disease is common, though neither its occurrence nor characteristics predict lesion type or location. Though the pathogenesis of the headache is unknown, its association with prior throbbing headache suggests that similar factors may operate in both.
Related papers
Headache associated with transient or permanent cerebrovascular disease
Journal of Headache and Pain, 2002
Headache is a common symptom in stroke, however the frequency, location, duration and other characteristics of the patients who developed headache during stroke are difficult to define. We studied headache characteristics in patients with first-ever acute stroke (hemorrhagic or ischemic) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and assessed the relationship between headache, stroke location, and etiology. The study included 104 consecutive patients (mean age 55.8±0.8 years; range, 40–70 years) admitted with acute stroke. Eleven patients had TIA, 70 ischemic stroke, and 23 hemorrhagic stroke. Headache was reported in 37 patients (35.6%) and was more common in hemorrhagic stroke compared to ischemic stroke or TIA (pp=0.006). No relationship was found between the size of the lesion detected by computed tomography and the presence of headache.
Headache at Stroke Onset in 2196 Patients With Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack
Stroke, 2005
Background and Purpose-Headache is a common symptom in acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, but many aspects of its association with other clinical factors are controversial. Methods-We analyzed characteristics of headache symptoms at stroke onset and associations between headache at stroke onset and at several clinical parameters in 2196 patients experiencing ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack within a multicenter hospital-based stroke registry. Results-Five hundred eighty-eight (27%) patients experienced headache at stroke onset. In a multivariate analysis, headache at stroke onset was positively associated with female sex, history of migraine, younger age, cerebellar stroke (but not with other brain stem locations), and blood pressure values on admission Ͻ120 mm Hg systolic and Ͻ70 mm Hg diastolic. It showed no significant association with stroke severity measured by the modified Rankin Scale at days 5 to 7 after the event, presumed etiology, or time of day. Conclusions-Our results, derived from a large number of systematically documented patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular events, show no association of headache with stroke etiology or outcome. Our results indicate that the previously described association of headache with vertebrobasilar stroke is mainly because of its association with cerebellar stroke. We could confirm previously described associations of headache at stroke onset with younger age and a history of migraine, implicating a careful evaluation of young patients with a focal neurological deficit and a history of migraine to avoid misclassification as "complicated migraine." (Stroke. 2005;36:e1-e3.
Headache at Onset of Acute Cerebral Ischemia
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 2009
Headache associated with acute ischemic stroke
The Journal of Headache and Pain, 2001
Prevalence of headache at the initial stage of stroke and its relation with site of vascular involvement: A clinical study
Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2015
Background: Stroke is the most common neurologic disease and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Headache is an initial presenting feature of ischemic stroke and sometimes preceedes the development of stroke and thus, provides an opportunity for offering preventive measures. The aim of the present study was to determine the association of new onset headache with stroke. Methods: A total of 263 consecutive patients with stroke entered the study. Development of headache 24 have prior to admission lasting <3 days was considered the new onset headache. The intensity of headache was graded as mild, moderate and severe. Stroke was classified with respect to the localization of brain damage using magnetic resonance image (MRI). Chi-square test was applied for comparison of proportions. Results: One hundred thirty-nine males and one hundred twenty-four females with mean age of 76.4±10 (40-89) years were analyzed. Ischemic stroke involving anterior circulation was diagnosed in 210 (79%) patients and vertebrobasilar ischemia in the remaining population. Diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and coronary artery disease were observed in 36%, 52%, 38% and 42%, respectively. New onset headache was found in 49 (18.9%) patients in who 81.6% was mentioned as new onset. Six out of 9 patients with severe headache had involvement of posterior circulation, whereas in the remaining population, anterior circulation was involved. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate no association of new onset headache with stroke. There was only a trend for severe headache toward the involvement of vertebrobasilar ischemia.
Role of atherosclerosis, clot extent, and penumbra volume in headache during ischemic stroke
Neurology, 2016
To investigate the role of large vessel atherosclerosis, blood clot extent, and penumbra volume in relation to headache in ischemic stroke patients. In this cross-sectional study, we performed noncontrast CT, CT angiography (CTA), and CT perfusion (CTP) in 284 participants from the Dutch Acute Stroke Study and Leiden Stroke Cohort within 9 hours after ischemic stroke onset. We collected headache characteristics prospectively using a semi-structured questionnaire. Atherosclerosis was assessed by evaluating presence of plaques in extracranial and intracranial vessels and by quantifying intracranial carotid artery calcifications. Clot extent was estimated by the clot burden score on CTA and penumbra volume by CTP. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) with adjustments (aRR) for possible confounders using multivariable Poisson regression. Headache during stroke was reported in 109/284 (38%) participants. Headache was less prevalent in patients with than in patients without atherosclerosis in ...
Headache Attributed to Cranial or Cervical Vascular Disorders
Current Pain and Headache Reports, 2013
Cranial or cervical vascular disease is commonly associated with headaches. The descriptions may range from a thunderclap onset of a subarachnoid hemorrhage to a phenotype similar to tension type headache. Occasionally, this may be the sole manifestation of a potentially serious underlying disorder like vasculitis. A high index of clinical suspicion is necessary to diagnose the disorder. Prompt recognition and treatment is usually needed for many conditions to avoid permanent sequelae that result in disability. Treatments for many conditions remain challenging and are frequently controversial due to paucity of well controlled studies. This is a review of the recent advances that have been made in the diagnosis or management of these secondary headaches.
Development of persistent headache following stroke: A 3-year follow-up
Cephalalgia, 2014
Background: Headache following stroke has been described in previous studies with an incidence of 23%-54%, but a clear description of headache developing after stroke onset is still lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and characteristics of persistent novel headache after stroke and to describe the use of medication, including dipyridamole. Methods: As a follow-up to a prospective study, a standardized questionnaire about characteristics of novel headache and medication use was sent out to surviving patients three years after their stroke. Results: The questionnaire was sent to 256 patients and returned by 222, of whom 12% (26/222) of patients reported persistent novel headache. Dipyridamole had no significant influence on the incidence. Stroke-attributed headache according to predefined criteria was reported in 7.2% (16/222) of patients, with tension-type-like headache in 50.0%, migraine-like in 31.3% and medication overuse in 6.25% of patients. More than half of patients experienced moderate to severe pain and had a score of 55 or above on the Headache Impact Test-6 scale. Conclusion: Novel headache after stroke affects one in 10 patients and seems to be unrelated to dipyridamole use. Persistent headache attributed to stroke is similar to tension-type headache for half of patients.
Stroke-Related Headache: A Clinical Study in Lacunar Infarction
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 2005
Objective.-To describe the characteristics of headache related to lacunar stroke based on data collected from a prospective hospital-based stroke registry over a 12-year period. Demographics, clinical variables, and prognostic features of lacunar stroke in patients with and without headache are compared. Background.-Stroke-related headache has been largely investigated, but there is little clinical data on headache in individualized stroke subtypes. Methods.-The cohort of 484 patients with lacunar infarction was selected. Forty-five (9.3%) presented headache within a 72-hour interval of stroke onset. Predictors of lacunar infarction with headache were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results.-The intensity of headache was mild in severity and poorly localized (diffuse or bilateral headache). Tension-type headache was present in 36 patients (80%) and 9 patients (20%) presented nausea or vomiting while experiencing mild pulsating pain. The frequency of headache was 17% in patients with atypical lacunar syndrome, 12% in dysarthria-clumsy hand, 11.5% in pure sensory stroke, 9.4% in sensorimotor stroke, and 7.1% in pure motor hemiparesis. When patients with lacunar infarction with and without headache were compared, female sex, diabetes mellitus, nausea and vomiting, and mesencephalic topography were significantly more frequent and dysarthria and frequency of symptom free at discharge were less frequent in the headache group. In the multivariate analysis, mesencephalic topography (odds ratio [OR] 16.62), nausea and vomiting (OR 13.27), sex female (OR 2.29), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.96), and age (OR 0.95) were predictors of lacunar infarction with headache. Conclusions.-Headache at the onset of a lacunar infarction is uncommon. Mesencephalic topography, nausea and vomiting, female sex, diabetes, and age were independent variables significantly associated with lacunar infarction with headache. These findings contribute to knowledge of stroke-related headache in patients with lacunes.
Headache attributed to arteritis, cerebral venous thrombosis, and other vascular intracranial disturbances
Handbook of clinical neurology, 2010
Headache with variable characteristics and associated signs and symptoms may occur in all forms of arteritis. Giant cell arteritis, one of the most common forms, involves branches of the external and, more rarely, of the internal carotid arteries. It occurs in patients over the age of 50 and is characterized by fever, new-onset headache, prominence and tenderness of the temporal artery, claudication of the masticatory muscles on chewing, amaurosis fugax, and visual loss. Headache is the initial symptom in 48% of patients and is present in 90%. Primary central nervous system angiitis is a rare and highly fatal disease in which headache is one of the most frequent symptoms despite the fact that, given its non-specific characteristics, it is of little diagnostic relevance. Headache may also be attributed to several secondary central nervous system arteritides such as Behçet's disease, Takayasu disease, polyarteritis nodosa, Kawasaki disease, Wegener's granulomatosis, systemic l...
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Headache in Cerebral Hemorrhage Is Associated With Inflammatory Markers and Higher Residual Cavity
Headache, 2005
Background and Purpose.—The mechanisms responsible for headache in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are not completely understood. The present study was undertaken to analyze the headache-associated factors, the possible related biochemical mechanisms, and the headache potential predictors of outcome in spontaneous ICH.Methods.—We prospectively studied 189 patients from a large cohort of 266 consecutive patients with supratentorial ICH admitted within the first 12 hours of symptoms onset. The presence of headache at stroke onset was evaluated in these patients. The volumes of the initial ICH, peripheral edema at 48 hours, and the residual cavity at 3 months were measured on CT scan. Glutamate, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α levels were measured in blood samples obtained on admission. The Canadian Stroke Scale (CSS) and the modified Rankin Scale were used to evaluate stroke severity and neurological outcome, respectively.Results.—Headache at onset of stroke was observed in 65 patients (34.4%). Patients who experienced headache had a significantly higher frequency of history of infection (P= .009) or inflammation (P= .045), as well as higher body temperature (P= .021), leukocyte count (P= .038), ESR (P= .011), and mass effect (P= .017) on admission. Plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher in patients with headache than in those without. Headache was an independent predictor of the residual cavity volume in patients with spontaneous ICH (odds ratio 6.49; 95% CI 2.51 to 16.78; P= .0001).Conclusions.—Headache at ICH onset is associated with clinical and biochemical markers of inflammation and is an independent predictor of higher residual cavity volume after spontaneous ICH.
Development of persistent headache following stroke: A 3-year follow-up
Cephalalgia, 2014
Background: Headache following stroke has been described in previous studies with an incidence of 23%-54%, but a clear description of headache developing after stroke onset is still lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and characteristics of persistent novel headache after stroke and to describe the use of medication, including dipyridamole. Methods: As a follow-up to a prospective study, a standardized questionnaire about characteristics of novel headache and medication use was sent out to surviving patients three years after their stroke. Results: The questionnaire was sent to 256 patients and returned by 222, of whom 12% (26/222) of patients reported persistent novel headache. Dipyridamole had no significant influence on the incidence. Stroke-attributed headache according to predefined criteria was reported in 7.2% (16/222) of patients, with tension-type-like headache in 50.0%, migraine-like in 31.3% and medication overuse in 6.25% of patients. More than half of patients experienced moderate to severe pain and had a score of 55 or above on the Headache Impact Test-6 scale. Conclusion: Novel headache after stroke affects one in 10 patients and seems to be unrelated to dipyridamole use. Persistent headache attributed to stroke is similar to tension-type headache for half of patients.
Headache at Onset of Acute Cerebral Ischemia
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 2009
Factors determining headache at onset of acute ischemic stroke
Cephalalgia, 2006
Headache is a frequent accompaniment of acute ischaemic stroke. The predisposing factors and underlying mechanisms are currently incompletely defined. We analysed prospectively collected data relevant to headache occurring at ischaemic stroke onset in consecutive patients included in the Henry Ford Hospital Stroke Data Bank. Patients with headache (HA+) and without headache (HA–) were compared for demographic factors, medical history, medications, examination findings, laboratory findings, and stroke localization and subtype. Group comparisons for categorical data were performed with χ2 test, and for continuous variables with two-sample t-tests. Stepwise logistic regression analysis, including all variables with P < 0.25, was used to define the independent predictors of onset headache. Three hundred and seventy-five patients had complete headache and clinical datasets and were included in the analysis (HA+, N = 118; HA–, N = 257). Multivariate analysis revealed that the independe...
Sex Differences in Presentation of Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Stroke, 2022
Background and Purpose: Women have worse outcomes than men after stroke. Differences in presentation may lead to misdiagnosis and, in part, explain these disparities. We investigated whether there are sex differences in clinical presentation of acute stroke or transient ischemic attack. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Inclusion criteria were (1) cohort, cross-sectional, case-control, or randomized controlled trial design; (2) admission for (suspicion of) ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke or transient ischemic attack; and (3) comparisons possible between sexes in ≥1 nonfocal or focal acute stroke symptom(s). A random-effects model was used for our analyses. We performed sensitivity and subanalyses to help explain heterogeneity and used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to assess bias. Results: We included 60 studies (n=582 844; 50% women). In women, headache (pooled odds r...
Headache in transient ischemic attacks
The Journal of Headache and Pain, 2018
Background: Headache is a common feature in acute cerebrovascular disease but no studies have evaluated the prevalence of specific headache types in patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIA). The purpose of the present study was to analyze all headaches within the last year and the last week before TIA and at the time of TIA. Methods: Eligible patients with TIA (n = 120, mean age 56.1, females 55%) had focal brain or retinal ischemia with resolution of symptoms within 24 h without presence of new infarction on MRI with DWI (n = 112) or CT (n = 8). All patients were evaluated within one day of admission by a single neurologist. As a control group we used patients (n = 192, mean age 58.7, females 64%) admitted with diagnoses "lumbago", "lumbar spine osteochondrosis" or "gastrointestinal ulcer". Results: One-year prevalence of migraine without aura was significantly higher in TIA patients than in controls: 20.8% and 7.8% respectively (p = 0.002, OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.6-6.2). 22 patients (18.3%) had sentinel or warning headache within the last week before TIA. At the time of TIA a new type of headache was observed in 16 patients (13.3%). No controls had a new type of headache. 12 of these 16 patients had migraine-like headache, 8 patients had tension-type-like headache and one patient thunderclap headache. Posterior circulation TIA was associated with headaches within last week before TIA and at the time of TIA much more frequently than anterior circulation TIA. Conclusions: The one year prevalence of migraine was significantly higher in TIA patients than in controls and so was the prevalence of headache within the last week before TIA and at the time of TIA. A previous headache that worsens and a new type of headache can be a warning of impending TIA.
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HEADACHES IN PATIENTS WITH TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACKS
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 1975
Thirty-four patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIA) have been followed for 1 to 24 months. Twenty-two patients had TIA in the anterior and 12 in the posterior circulation. Episodic and late onset vascular headaches occurred. Four patients had episodic headaches, 7 patients had late onset vascular headaches and 11 patients had both types of headaches. Episodic headaches preceded, occurred during, or immediately after TIA. These headaches were present in 15 of the patients (44%). Late onset vascular headaches started in middle or late life, occurred independently of TIA and were observed in 18 patients (52.9%). In 13 patients the headaches began 1 month to 15 years prior to TIA and in 5 cases, 2 days to 1 year after the onset of TIA. Late onset vascular headaches preceded TIA in 38.2% of patients. These headaches might be of prognostic significance in some patients for the development of TIA and stroke.
Headache in transient ischemic attacks
The Journal of Headache and Pain, 2018
Background: Headache is a common feature in acute cerebrovascular disease but no studies have evaluated the prevalence of specific headache types in patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIA). The purpose of the present study was to analyze all headaches within the last year and the last week before TIA and at the time of TIA. Methods: Eligible patients with TIA (n = 120, mean age 56.1, females 55%) had focal brain or retinal ischemia with resolution of symptoms within 24 h without presence of new infarction on MRI with DWI (n = 112) or CT (n = 8). All patients were evaluated within one day of admission by a single neurologist. As a control group we used patients (n = 192, mean age 58.7, females 64%) admitted with diagnoses "lumbago", "lumbar spine osteochondrosis" or "gastrointestinal ulcer". Results: One-year prevalence of migraine without aura was significantly higher in TIA patients than in controls: 20.8% and 7.8% respectively (p = 0.002, OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.6-6.2). 22 patients (18.3%) had sentinel or warning headache within the last week before TIA. At the time of TIA a new type of headache was observed in 16 patients (13.3%). No controls had a new type of headache. 12 of these 16 patients had migraine-like headache, 8 patients had tension-type-like headache and one patient thunderclap headache. Posterior circulation TIA was associated with headaches within last week before TIA and at the time of TIA much more frequently than anterior circulation TIA. Conclusions: The one year prevalence of migraine was significantly higher in TIA patients than in controls and so was the prevalence of headache within the last week before TIA and at the time of TIA. A previous headache that worsens and a new type of headache can be a warning of impending TIA.
Persistent headache after first-ever ischemic stroke: clinical characteristics and factors associated with its development
Journal of Headache and Pain, 2022
Background: It is poorly described how often headache attributed to stroke continues for more than 3 months, i.e. fulfils the criteria for persistent headache attributed to ischemic stroke. Our aims were: 1) to determine the incidence of persistent headache attributed to past first-ever ischemic stroke (International headache society categories 6.1.1.2); 2) to describe their characteristics and acute treatment; 3) to analyse the prevalence of medication overuse headache in patients with persistent headache after stroke; 4) to evaluate factors associated with the development of persistent headache after stroke. Methods: The study population consisted of 550 patients (mean age 63.1, 54% males) with first-ever ischemic stroke, among them 529 patients were followed up at least three months after stroke. Standardized semi-structured interview forms were used to evaluate these headaches during professional face-to-face interviews at stroke onset and telephone interviews at 3 months. Results: At three months, 61 patients (30 women and 31 men, the mean age 60.0) of 529 (11.5%) follow-up patients had a headache after stroke: 34 had a new type of headache, 21 had a headache with altered characteristics and 6 patients had a headache without any changes. Therefore 55 (10.4%) patients had a persistent headache attributed to ischemic stroke. Their clinical features included: less severity of accompanying symptoms, slowly decreasing frequency and development of medication overuse headache in one-third of the patients. The following factors were associated with these headaches: lack of sleep (29.1%, p = 0.009; OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.2-4.3), infarct in cerebellum (18.2%, p = 0.003; OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.4-6.6), stroke of undetermined etiology (50.9%, p = 0.003; OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.3-4.1), less than 8 points by NIHSS score (90.9%, p = 0.007; OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.4-8.6) and low prevalence of large-artery atherosclerosis (12.7%, p = 0.006; OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.2-0.80). Conclusion: Persistent headache attributed to ischemic stroke is not rare and frequently leads to medication overuse. The problem is often neglected because of other serious consequences of stroke but actually, it has a considerable impact on quality of life. It should be a focus of interest in the follow-up of stroke patients.
Diagnostic Criteria For Acute Headache Attributed To Ischemic Stroke And For Sentinel Headache Before Ischemic Stroke
2021
Background: Defining the relationship between a headache and stroke is essential. The current diagnostic criteria of the ICHD-3 for acute headache attributed to ischemic stroke are based primarily on the opinion of experts rather than on published clinical evidence based on extensive case-control studies in patients with first-ever stroke. Diagnostic criteria for sentinel headache before ischemic stroke do not exist. The present study aimed to develop explicit diagnostic criteria for headache attributed to ischemic stroke and for sentinel headache.Methods: This prospective case-control study included 550 patients (mean age 63,1, 54% males) with first-ever ischemic stroke and 192 control patients (mean age 58.7, 36% males) admitted to the emergency room without any acute neurological deficits or severe disorders. Standardized semi-structured interview forms were used to evaluate past and present headaches during face-to-face interviews by a neurologist on admission to the emergency r...
Headache at stroke onset: the Lausanne Stroke Registry
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 1995
Within 12 hours of stroke onset 2506 patients with first ever stroke admitted to the Lausanne Stroke Registry were questioned about headache. Eighteen per cent of the patients reported headache, 14% with anterior circulation stroke and 29% with posterior circulation stroke (p < 0.001). Headache was reported by 16% of the patients with infarct and 36% of those with haemorrhage (p < 0.001).
Focal headache during balloon inflation in the internal carotid and middle cerebral arteries
Stroke, 1990
Although a number of reports are available on the occurrence of headache in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease, most studies have recorded the frequency bat not the specific sites of the pain. We report 18 patients who underwent balloon inflation in the distal internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery stem during embolization therapy for intracerebral arteriovenous malformations. Eleven patients had reproducible patterns of headache during balloon inflation. Inflation in the proximal middle cerebral artery stem produced pain primarily in the ipsilateral temple, that in the middle of the middle cerebral artery stem produced pain referred primarily retro-orbitally, and inflation in the distal middle cerebral artery stem produced pain referred primarily to the forehead. Experimental studies have demonstrated similar patterns of referred pain. The fact that these areas of referred pain are so reproducible is of potentially great clinical importance in the approach to management of patients with cerebrovascular disease. (Stroke 1990;21:555-559) A lthough a number of reports are available on / \ the occurrence of headache in patients with X \ . ischemic cerebrovascular disease, most studies have recorded the frequency but not the specific sites of the pain. 1 -7 Some authors have noted that carotid-distribution headaches tend to be located anteriorly and that vertebrobasilar-associated headaches tend to be located posteriorly. The fact that in most studies of cerebrovascular disease only a minority of patients are reported to develop headache has lead some clinicians to dismiss its importance. Unfortunately, from the reports of headache in patients with cerebrovascular disease it has not been possible to determine precisely the site, and frequently the type, of arterial disease. In part, this has resulted from an inability to define precisely the location of the arterial injury. In addition, it is frequently difficult to obtain an accurate history from patients who are acutely ill and/or neurologically impaired. Thus, the potential utility of localized head pain associated with focal
Factors determining headache at onset of acute ischemic stroke
Cephalalgia, 2006
Headache is a frequent accompaniment of acute ischaemic stroke. The predisposing factors and underlying mechanisms are currently incompletely defined. We analysed prospectively collected data relevant to headache occurring at ischaemic stroke onset in consecutive patients included in the Henry Ford Hospital Stroke Data Bank. Patients with headache (HA+) and without headache (HA–) were compared for demographic factors, medical history, medications, examination findings, laboratory findings, and stroke localization and subtype. Group comparisons for categorical data were performed with χ2 test, and for continuous variables with two-sample t-tests. Stepwise logistic regression analysis, including all variables with P < 0.25, was used to define the independent predictors of onset headache. Three hundred and seventy-five patients had complete headache and clinical datasets and were included in the analysis (HA+, N = 118; HA–, N = 257). Multivariate analysis revealed that the independe...
Relation of post-stroke headachto cerebrovascular pathology and hemodynamics
Folia Neuropathologica
Despite high prevalence of cerebrovascular stroke, headache attributed to ischemic strokes is often undertreated and overlooked. The aim is to detect the relation of a post-stroke headache to cerebrovascular pathology and changes in hemodynamics through a high-resolution duplex ultrasound examination. The present study was a case-control study conducted among 239 patients, who presented with an acute ischemic stroke. Patients were subdivided into two groups: group I included patients with headache attributed to ischemic stroke (cases) and group II included headache-free stroke patients (controls). History consisted of headache characteristics and risk factors. Clinical and radiological examination were preformed to detect the type of stroke. Ultrasound duplex examination of extra-cranial and intra-cranial cerebrovascular system was carried for both groups. Group I included 112 patients (mean age, 57.66 ±6.59 years), and group II included 127 patients (mean age 57.73 ±7.89 years). Post-stroke headache was more frequent in patients with posterior circulation infarction (58%). Post-stroke headache was reported within 7 days post-stroke in 61.6% of patients. Pre-stroke headache was an independent predictor for post-stroke headache occurrence (OR = 28.187, 95% CI: 6.612-120.158%, p < 0.001). Collateral opening and various degrees of intra-cranial vascular stenosis were strong predictors of headache occurrence (OR = 25.071, 95% CI: 6.498-96.722%, p < 0.001). In conclusion, post-stroke headache is a common phenomenon, especially in patients with pre-stroke headache, history of old stroke, posterior circulation infarction, and large artery disease. This headache was of moderate-intensity with clinical characteristics of tension-type. Intra-cranial cerebrovascular pathological changes including opening of collateral channels and variable degrees of stenosis of cerebrovascular systems were implicated in the production of that headache.
Sentinel headache as a warning symptom of ischemic stroke
Journal of Headache and Pain, 2020
Background: There are no previous controlled studies of sentinel headache in ischemic stroke. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the presence of such headache, its characteristics and possible risk factors as compared to a simultaneous control group. Methods: Eligible patients (n = 550) had first-ever acute ischemic stroke with presence of new infarction on magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging (n = 469) or on computed tomography (n = 81). As a control group we studied in parallel patients (n = 192) who were admitted to the emergency room without acute neurological deficits or serious neurological or somatic disorders. Consecutive patients with stroke and a simultaneous control group were extensively interviewed soon after admission using validated neurologist conducted semi-structured interview forms. Based on our previous study of sentinel headache in transient ischemic attacks we defined sentinel headache as a new type of headache or a previous kind of headache with altered characteristics (severe intensity, increased frequency, absence of effect of drugs) within seven days before stroke. Results: Among 550 patients with stroke 94 patients (17.1%) had headache during seven days before stroke and 12 (6.2%) controls (p < 0.001; OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.7-5.8). Totally 81 patients (14.7%) had sentinel headache within the last week before stroke and one control. Attacks of arrythmia during seven days before stroke were significantly associated with sentinel headache (p = 0.04, OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.1-4.8). Conclusions: A new type of headache and a previous kind of headache with altered characteristics during one week before stroke are significantly more prevalent than in controls. These headaches represent sentinel headaches. Sudden onset of such headaches should alarm about stroke.
Headache as anUnusual Presentation of Ischemic Heart Disease: A Case Report
Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2019
The clinical features of coronary artery disease vary, and patients may present with symptoms other than chest pain, such as headache. Rarely, the headache may be theonly presenting feature without any chest discomfort, and may be confused with migraine. Failure to distinguish such headache, caused by CAD, from migraine may result in wrong treatment with disastrous fate. Elderly patient with the presence of cardiovascular risk factors having recent onset exertional headache should be evaluated for the presence of cardiac cephalgia.We intend to report a 60-year-old hypertensive, diabetic patient with a 6-months history of episodic exertional headaches, who turned out to be a case of headache angina (cardiac cephalgia). Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2019;5(1): 81-86
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