[Influence of botulinum toxin treatment on previous primary headaches in patients with cranio-cervical dystonia].
BACKGROUND
Preliminary data suggest some beneficial effects of botulinum toxin type A (BT-A) on primary headaches.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the subjective influence of BT-A on previous primary headaches of those patients receiving this treatment due to a variety of cranio-cervical dystonia (CD).


METHODS
All patients receiving BT-A due to CD were interviewed with an ad hoc questionnaire on the presence or not of headaches prior to BT treatment. Diagnosis and subjective effects of BT-A on these previous headaches were recorded.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight patients (28 women) were interviewed; 21 (19 women) reported a history of previous primary headache (12 migraine, 10 tension-type headache). Nine (41 %) reported sustained response ( > 50 % reduction in headache frequency) since the beginning of BT-A treatment. Patients with cervical dystonia or those receiving high doses ( > 50 U) showed the best responses. Age, gender, pain location, duration of BT-A treatment and headache diagnosis did not seem to correlate with response.


CONCLUSIONS
BT-A seems to have sustained beneficial effect on primary headaches of some patients with CD, especially at doses higher than 50 U and in patients with the diagnosis of spasmodic torticollis.
Pascual
J
J
Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander. juliopascual@telefonica.net
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014103:Torticollis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A