title: Two cases of primary stabbing headache.
abstract: Primary stabbing headache is an excruciating and relatively rare type of headache that typically lasts for only a few seconds. Pain is predominantly felt in the distribution of the first division of the trigeminal nerve and can be experienced as single stabs or as a series of stabs, either per day or every few days. Primary stabbing headache has been well-defined for decades and must be kept in mind during diagnosis. Exclusion of other possible causes is necessary in order to establish diagnosis. Indomethacin has classically been considered the first treatment option, but therapeutic failure occurs in up to 35% of cases. Recent studies have suggested that cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, gabapentin, nifedipine, paracetamol, and melatonin are also effective treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Medicine, Antakya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guntel
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozge
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hurdogan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey. deryaulu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Derya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Uluduz
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Medicine, Antakya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Taskin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Duman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007213:Indomethacin