title: Lateralization of headache: possible role of an upper cervical trigger point.
abstract: An ipsilateral upper neck trigger point was found in 21 of 24 patients with unilateral headache. During the prodromic period this trigger point was detected as a tender protrusion on neck palpation. In 18 out of 24 patients it was also found during the headache-free period. On standard roentgenogram, this protrusion seemed to be a laterally developed C2 spinous process. The EMG study showed latent trapezius hypertonicity on the side of the headache, even during the headache-free period. The association of the painful protrusion and trapezius hypertonicity could create an autoreinforcing nociceptive loop, which in turn could be the cause of lateralization of the pain.
authors.affiliation: Clinique St Hilaire, Rouen; France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boquet
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boismare
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Payenneville
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leclerc
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Monnier
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D010808:Physical Examination; D011859:Radiography