Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports 5/2022

01-05-2022 | Craniotomy | Acute Pain Medicine (R Urman, Section Editor)

Postcraniotomy Headache: Etiologies and Treatments

Authors: Corina Bello, Lukas Andereggen, Markus M. Luedi, Christian M. Beilstein

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 5/2022

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Postcraniotomy headache (PCH) is a highly underappreciated and very common adverse event following craniotomy.

Recent Findings

Analgetic medication with opioids often interferes with neurologic evaluation in the acute phase of recovery and should be kept to a minimal, in general, in the treatment of chronic pain as well. We provide an update on the latest evidence for the management of acute and chronic PCH.

Summary

Especially in the neurosurgical setting, enhanced recovery after surgery protocols need to include a special focus on pain control. Patients at risk of developing chronic pain must be identified and treated as early as possible.
Literature
12.
go back to reference • Yang L, Kaye AD, Venakatesh AG, Green MS, Asgarian CD, Luedi MM et al. Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery: an update on clinical implications. Int Anesthesiol Clin. 2017;55(4):148–62. https://doi.org/10.1097/aia.0000000000000168. This article highlights the complex interaction of pain with other factors to be considered in enhanced recovery programmes. • Yang L, Kaye AD, Venakatesh AG, Green MS, Asgarian CD, Luedi MM et al. Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery: an update on clinical implications. Int Anesthesiol Clin. 2017;55(4):148–62. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1097/​aia.​0000000000000168​. This article highlights the complex interaction of pain with other factors to be considered in enhanced recovery programmes.
24.
go back to reference • Song J, Ji Q, Sun Q, Gao T, Liu K, Li L. The opioid-sparing effect of intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion after craniotomy. Journal Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2016;28(1):14–20. https://doi.org/10.1097/ana.0000000000000190. This study established the intraoperative use of dexmedetomidine to reduce cumulative morphine consumption and adverse effects after craniotomy. • Song J, Ji Q, Sun Q, Gao T, Liu K, Li L. The opioid-sparing effect of intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion after craniotomy. Journal Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2016;28(1):14–20. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1097/​ana.​0000000000000190​. This study established the intraoperative use of dexmedetomidine to reduce cumulative morphine consumption and adverse effects after craniotomy.
27.
go back to reference • Luedi MM, Singh SK, Mosley JC, Hassan ISA, Hatami M, Gumin J et al. Dexamethasone-mediated oncogenicity in vitro and in an animal model of glioblastoma. Journal Neurosurg. 2018;129(6):1446–55. https://doi.org/10.3171/2017.7.jns17668. This study describes the tumorigenic effect of dexamethasone on glioblastoma in vivo. • Luedi MM, Singh SK, Mosley JC, Hassan ISA, Hatami M, Gumin J et al. Dexamethasone-mediated oncogenicity in vitro and in an animal model of glioblastoma. Journal Neurosurg. 2018;129(6):1446–55. https://​doi.​org/​10.​3171/​2017.​7.​jns17668. This study describes the tumorigenic effect of dexamethasone on glioblastoma in vivo.
52.
go back to reference Matta BF, Menon DK, Turner JM. Textbook of neuroanaesthesia and critical care. Cambridge University Press. 2000. Matta BF, Menon DK, Turner JM. Textbook of neuroanaesthesia and critical care. Cambridge University Press. 2000.
Metadata
Title
Postcraniotomy Headache: Etiologies and Treatments
Authors
Corina Bello
Lukas Andereggen
Markus M. Luedi
Christian M. Beilstein
Publication date
01-05-2022
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 5/2022
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-022-01036-8

Other articles of this Issue 5/2022

Current Pain and Headache Reports 5/2022 Go to the issue

Secondary Headache (M Robbins, Section Editor)

Cognitive Impairment in Primary and Secondary Headache Disorders

Anesthetic Techniques in Pain Management (D Wang, Section Editor)

Review of Sacroiliac Joint Injection Techniques

Invited Commentary

Post-COVID Pain Syndromes