Skip to main content
Top
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain 1/2009

Open Access 01-02-2009 | Brief Report

Hemicrania continua unresponsive or partially responsive to indomethacin: does it exist? A diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma

Authors: Sanjay Prakash, Nilima D. Shah, Roopal J. Bhanvadia

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 1/2009

Login to get access

Abstract

Hemicrania continua (HC) is a primary headache disorder characterized by a continuous, unilateral headache that varies in intensity, waxing and waning without disappearing completely. Ipsilateral cranial autonomic features and response to indomethacin are essential features for the diagnosis of HC. We hereby, describe three patients with the clinical phenotypes of HC in whom response to indomethacin was either incomplete or not sustained. We also review the literature especially for the presence of indomethacin response and ipsilateral cranial autonomic features.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society (2004) The international classification of headache disorders, 2nd edn. Cephalalgia 24(Suppl 1):1–160 Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society (2004) The international classification of headache disorders, 2nd edn. Cephalalgia 24(Suppl 1):1–160
2.
go back to reference Goadsby PJ, Lipton RB (1997) A review of paroxysmal hemicranias, SUNCT syndrome and other short-lasting headaches with autonomic feature, including new cases. Brain 120:193–209, 9055807, 10.1093/brain/120.1.193CrossRefPubMed Goadsby PJ, Lipton RB (1997) A review of paroxysmal hemicranias, SUNCT syndrome and other short-lasting headaches with autonomic feature, including new cases. Brain 120:193–209, 9055807, 10.1093/brain/120.1.193CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Pareja JA, Vincent M, Antonaci F, Sjaastad O (2001) Hemicrania continua: diagnostic criteria and nosological status. Cephalalgia 21:874–877, 11903280, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.2001.00276.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD387nvF2jtw%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed Pareja JA, Vincent M, Antonaci F, Sjaastad O (2001) Hemicrania continua: diagnostic criteria and nosological status. Cephalalgia 21:874–877, 11903280, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.2001.00276.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD387nvF2jtw%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Sjaastad O, Spierings EL (1984) Hemicrania continua: another headache absolutely responsive to indomethacin. Cephalalgia 4:65–70, 6713526, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1984.0401065.x, 1:STN:280:BiuC1c%2FmslA%3DCrossRefPubMed Sjaastad O, Spierings EL (1984) Hemicrania continua: another headache absolutely responsive to indomethacin. Cephalalgia 4:65–70, 6713526, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1984.0401065.x, 1:STN:280:BiuC1c%2FmslA%3DCrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Newman LC, Lipton RB, Solomon S (1994) Hemicrania continua: ten new cases and a review of the literature. Neurology 44:2111–2114, 7969968, 1:STN:280:ByqD28%2FgtVQ%3DCrossRefPubMed Newman LC, Lipton RB, Solomon S (1994) Hemicrania continua: ten new cases and a review of the literature. Neurology 44:2111–2114, 7969968, 1:STN:280:ByqD28%2FgtVQ%3DCrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Prakash S, Dholakia SY, Shah KA (2008) A patient with chronic cluster headache responsive to high-dose indomethacin: is there an overlap with chronic paroxysmal hemicrania? Cephalalgia 28:778–781, 18460005, 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2008.01581.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1cznvVWgsg%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed Prakash S, Dholakia SY, Shah KA (2008) A patient with chronic cluster headache responsive to high-dose indomethacin: is there an overlap with chronic paroxysmal hemicrania? Cephalalgia 28:778–781, 18460005, 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2008.01581.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1cznvVWgsg%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Goadsby PJ, Cittadini E, Burns B, Cohen AS (2008) Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias: diagnostic and therapeutic developments. Curr Opin Neurol 21:323–330, 18451717, 10.1097/WCO.0b013e3282fa6d76CrossRefPubMed Goadsby PJ, Cittadini E, Burns B, Cohen AS (2008) Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias: diagnostic and therapeutic developments. Curr Opin Neurol 21:323–330, 18451717, 10.1097/WCO.0b013e3282fa6d76CrossRefPubMed
8.
go back to reference Cittadini E, Matharu MS, Goadsby PJ (2008) Paroxysmal hemicrania: a prospective clinical study of 31 cases. Brain 131:1142–1155, 18252775, 10.1093/brain/awn010CrossRefPubMed Cittadini E, Matharu MS, Goadsby PJ (2008) Paroxysmal hemicrania: a prospective clinical study of 31 cases. Brain 131:1142–1155, 18252775, 10.1093/brain/awn010CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Pareja JA, Antonaci F, Vincent M (2001) The hemicrania continua diagnosis. Cephalalgia 21:940–946, 11843864, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.2001.00290.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD387isVeltA%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed Pareja JA, Antonaci F, Vincent M (2001) The hemicrania continua diagnosis. Cephalalgia 21:940–946, 11843864, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.2001.00290.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD387isVeltA%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Goadsby PJ, Lipton RB (2002) The hemicrania continua diagnosis. Cephalalgia 22:563–565, 12230602, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.2002.00391.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD38vovFektA%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed Goadsby PJ, Lipton RB (2002) The hemicrania continua diagnosis. Cephalalgia 22:563–565, 12230602, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.2002.00391.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD38vovFektA%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Antonaci F, Parja JA, Caminero AB, Sjaastad O (1998) Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua. parenteral indomethacin: the ‘indotest’. Headache 38:122–128, 9529768, 10.1046/j.1526-4610.1998.3802122.x, 1:STN:280:DyaK1c7ptVKksQ%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed Antonaci F, Parja JA, Caminero AB, Sjaastad O (1998) Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua. parenteral indomethacin: the ‘indotest’. Headache 38:122–128, 9529768, 10.1046/j.1526-4610.1998.3802122.x, 1:STN:280:DyaK1c7ptVKksQ%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Spierings LH, Sjaastad O, F.P. Peres M, Silberstein SD, Young WB, Rozen TD (2002) Hemicrania continua is not that rare. Neurology 59:476–477, 12177400CrossRefPubMed Spierings LH, Sjaastad O, F.P. Peres M, Silberstein SD, Young WB, Rozen TD (2002) Hemicrania continua is not that rare. Neurology 59:476–477, 12177400CrossRefPubMed
14.
15.
go back to reference Kuritzky A (1992) Indomethacin-resistant hemicraniacontinua. Cephalalgia 12:57–59, 1559260, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1992.1201057.x, 1:STN:280:By2B3Mjgs1E%3DCrossRefPubMed Kuritzky A (1992) Indomethacin-resistant hemicraniacontinua. Cephalalgia 12:57–59, 1559260, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1992.1201057.x, 1:STN:280:By2B3Mjgs1E%3DCrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Wheeler S (2000) Clinical spectrum of hemicrania continua. Neurology 54:A422 abstract, abstract Wheeler S (2000) Clinical spectrum of hemicrania continua. Neurology 54:A422 abstract, abstract
18.
go back to reference Mariano da Silva H, Alcantara MC, Bordini CA, Speciali JG (2002) Strictly unilateral headache reminiscent of hemicrania continua resistant to indomethacin but responsive to gabapentin. Cephalalgia 22:409–410, 12110117, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.2002.00361.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD38vgsFahtA%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed Mariano da Silva H, Alcantara MC, Bordini CA, Speciali JG (2002) Strictly unilateral headache reminiscent of hemicrania continua resistant to indomethacin but responsive to gabapentin. Cephalalgia 22:409–410, 12110117, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.2002.00361.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD38vgsFahtA%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Schwedt TJ, Dodick DW, Trentman TL, Zimmerman RS (2006) Occipital nerve stimulation for chronic cluster headache and hemicrania continua: pain relief and persistence of autonomic features. Cephalalgia 26:1025–1027, 16886942, 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2006.01142.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD28vmsVahsw%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed Schwedt TJ, Dodick DW, Trentman TL, Zimmerman RS (2006) Occipital nerve stimulation for chronic cluster headache and hemicrania continua: pain relief and persistence of autonomic features. Cephalalgia 26:1025–1027, 16886942, 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2006.01142.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD28vmsVahsw%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Rajabally YA, Jacob S (2005) Hemicrania continua responsive to verapamil. Headache 45:1082–1083, 16109126, 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2005.05193_1.xCrossRefPubMed Rajabally YA, Jacob S (2005) Hemicrania continua responsive to verapamil. Headache 45:1082–1083, 16109126, 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2005.05193_1.xCrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Newman LC, Solomon S, Lipton RB (1995) Reply from author: hemicrania continua. Neurology 45:2303CrossRef Newman LC, Solomon S, Lipton RB (1995) Reply from author: hemicrania continua. Neurology 45:2303CrossRef
22.
go back to reference Bordini C, Antonaci F, Stovner LJ, Schrader H, Sjaastad O (1991) ‘Hemicrania continua’: a clinical review. Headache 31:20–26, 2016164, 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1991.hed3101020.x, 1:STN:280:By6B3c7gslw%3DCrossRefPubMed Bordini C, Antonaci F, Stovner LJ, Schrader H, Sjaastad O (1991) ‘Hemicrania continua’: a clinical review. Headache 31:20–26, 2016164, 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1991.hed3101020.x, 1:STN:280:By6B3c7gslw%3DCrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Peres MF, Silberstein SD, Nahimas S, Shechter AL, Youssef I, Rozen TD, Young WB (2001) Hemicrania continua is not that rare. Neurology 57(6):948–951, 11577748, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MrjtFGhsA%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed Peres MF, Silberstein SD, Nahimas S, Shechter AL, Youssef I, Rozen TD, Young WB (2001) Hemicrania continua is not that rare. Neurology 57(6):948–951, 11577748, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MrjtFGhsA%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Matharu MS, Boes CJ, Goadsby PJ (2003) Management of trigeminal autonomic cephalgias and hemicrania continua. Drugs 63(16):1637–1677, 12904085, 10.2165/00003495-200363160-00002, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXntlKisL4%3DCrossRefPubMed Matharu MS, Boes CJ, Goadsby PJ (2003) Management of trigeminal autonomic cephalgias and hemicrania continua. Drugs 63(16):1637–1677, 12904085, 10.2165/00003495-200363160-00002, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXntlKisL4%3DCrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Bigal ME, Tepper SJ, Sheftell FD, Rapoport AM (2002) Hemicrania continua: a report of ten cases. Arq Neuropsiqiatr 60:695–698CrossRef Bigal ME, Tepper SJ, Sheftell FD, Rapoport AM (2002) Hemicrania continua: a report of ten cases. Arq Neuropsiqiatr 60:695–698CrossRef
26.
go back to reference Bigal ME, Tepper SJ, Rapoport AM, Sheftell FD (2002) Hemicrania continua: comparison between two different classification systems. Cephalalgia 22:242–245, 12047465, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.2002.00366.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD38zht1elug%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed Bigal ME, Tepper SJ, Rapoport AM, Sheftell FD (2002) Hemicrania continua: comparison between two different classification systems. Cephalalgia 22:242–245, 12047465, 10.1046/j.1468-2982.2002.00366.x, 1:STN:280:DC%2BD38zht1elug%3D%3DCrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Hemicrania continua unresponsive or partially responsive to indomethacin: does it exist? A diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma
Authors
Sanjay Prakash
Nilima D. Shah
Roopal J. Bhanvadia
Publication date
01-02-2009
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 1/2009
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10194-008-0088-9

Other articles of this Issue 1/2009

The Journal of Headache and Pain 1/2009 Go to the issue