title: Side-locked unilaterality and pain localization in long-lasting headaches: migraine, tension-type headache, and cervicogenic headache.
abstract: Side-locked unilaterality and specific localization of pain are not as well-defined clinical characteristics in long-lasting headaches (duration more than 4 hours) as they are in short-lasting forms. We examined side-locked unilaterality and pain distribution at onset and at peak headache in 74 patients with different forms of long-lasting headache: migraine and tension-type headache (IHS) and cervicogenic headache (according to Sjaastad et al). Side-locked unilaterality of pain was found in all forms, but to differing extents - 20.8% in migraine, 12.5% in tension-type headache, while it was a mandatory criterion for cervicogenic headache. The pain tended to localize anteriorly, particularly at onset, in migraine; was more diffuse in tension-type headache; and always began in the occipitonuchal region in cervicogenic headache. Our results may contribute to a better clinical definition of long-lasting headaches.
authors.affiliation: Headache Centre, Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bussone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D009333:Neck; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors