Hemicrania continua: ten new cases and a review of the literature.
We describe 10 new patients and review the 24 prior reports of hemicrania continua, an uncommon, unilateral headache disorder. The disorder is characterized by a continuous baseline headache of moderate severity with superimposed exacerbations of more severe pain. These exacerbations are sometimes associated with ipsilateral autonomic disturbances. There are three temporal patterns: a chronic, nonremitting headache from onset; a remitting variety consisting of distinct phases of continuous unilateral headaches that persist for weeks to months followed by pain-free remissions; and an evolving form in which initially remitting headaches transform into the chronic, non-remitting pattern. Accurate diagnosis is important as all forms are characterized by a dramatic and selective response to indomethacin.
Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.
L C
LC
Newman
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RB
Lipton
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S
Solomon
D000328:Adult; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D007213:Indomethacin