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Open Access 01-06-2011 | Review Article

Migralepsy, hemicrania epileptica, post-ictal headache and “ictal epileptic headache”: a proposal for terminology and classification revision

Authors: Vincenzo Belcastro, Pasquale Striano, Dorotheè G. A. Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité, Maria Pia Villa, Pasquale Parisi

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 3/2011

Abstract

Despite the fact that migraine and epilepsy are among the commoner brain diseases and that comorbidity of these conditions is well known, only few reports of migralepsy and hemicrania epileptica (HE) have been published according to the current ICHD-II criteria. Particularly, ICHD-II describes “migraine-triggered seizure” (i.e., migralepsy) among complications of migraine at “1.5.5” (as a rare event in which a seizure happens during migrainous aura), while hemicrania epileptica (coded at “7.6.1”) and post-ictal headache (coded at “7.6.2”) are described among headaches attributed to epileptic seizure. However, to date neither the International Headache Society nor the International League against Epilepsy mention that headache/migraine may be the sole ictal epileptic manifestation. Based on the current knowledge, migralepsy is highly unlikely to exist as such. We, therefore, propose to delete this term until clear evidence its existence is provided. Moreover, we herein propose a revision of terminology and classification criteria to properly represent the migraine/headache relationships. We suggest the term “ictal epileptic headache” in cases in which headache/migraine is the sole ictal epileptic manifestation.

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Title: Migralepsy, hemicrania epileptica, post-ictal headache and “ictal epileptic headache”: a proposal for terminology and classification revision
Authors: Vincenzo Belcastro
Pasquale Striano
Dorotheè G. A. Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité
Maria Pia Villa
Pasquale Parisi
Publication date: 01-06-2011
Publisher: Springer Milan
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 3/2011
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10194-011-0318-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Migralepsy, hemicrania epileptica, post-ictal headache and “ictal epileptic headache”: a proposal for terminology and classification revision

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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