[Cervicogenic headache caused by lower cervical spondylosis].
We report a rare case of severe facial pain and headache due to cervical spondylosis successfully treated by surgical intervention. A 48-year-old woman had been suffering from severe left side facial pain and headache since she was 44 years old. Analgesics were not effective. At 48 years of age, a magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine revealed a degenerated disk at the C5/6 level with encroachment on the foramina and the cord. Anesthetic blockade to the C5/6 facet joint was effective, but was temporary. After the anterior decompression and stabilization using a titanium cage, the pain disappeared completely and has not recurred through 1 year of follow up. This report indicates that lower cervical root compression may cause cervicogenic headache, which can be treated effectively by surgical intervention.
Department of Neurosurgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, North 15 West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan.
Masahito
M
Kawabori
Kazutoshi
K
Hida
Shunsuke
S
Yano
Yoshinobu
Y
Iwasaki
D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D051298:Post-Traumatic Headache / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014025:Titanium