Skip to main content
Top
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain 3/2009

Open Access 01-06-2009 | Brief Report

Cerebral infarct presenting with thunderclap headache

Authors: Bengt A. Edvardsson, Staffan Persson

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 3/2009

Login to get access

Abstract

A 73-year-old man presented with a thunderclap headache (TCH), suggesting a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Neurological examination, computer tomography of the head, and cerebrospinal fluid examination were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a supratentorial cerebral infarct. No cerebral aneurysm could be detected. A TCH can be the presenting feature of many conditions. A formula for the diagnostic assessment of TCH should be established. The management of this type of headache is controversial. Articles differ in their conclusions and recommendations. An expansion of routine investigations should be performed in cases where the neurological examination, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and computer tomography are normal. A TCH can be the primary clinical feature of a supratentorial cerebral infarct.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Edlow JA (2003) Diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage in the emergency department. Med Clin North Am 21:73–87CrossRef Edlow JA (2003) Diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage in the emergency department. Med Clin North Am 21:73–87CrossRef
3.
go back to reference Savitz SI, Edlow J (2008) Thunderclap headache with normal CT and lumbar puncture: further investigations are unnecessary: for. Stroke 39:1392–1393PubMedCrossRef Savitz SI, Edlow J (2008) Thunderclap headache with normal CT and lumbar puncture: further investigations are unnecessary: for. Stroke 39:1392–1393PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Moussouttas M, Mayer SA (2008) Thunderclap headache with normal CT and lumbar puncture: further investigations are unnecessary: against. Stroke 39:1394–1395PubMedCrossRef Moussouttas M, Mayer SA (2008) Thunderclap headache with normal CT and lumbar puncture: further investigations are unnecessary: against. Stroke 39:1394–1395PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Davis SM, Donnan GA (2008) Thunderclap headache: CT and lumbar puncture but occasionally more. Stroke 39:1396PubMedCrossRef Davis SM, Donnan GA (2008) Thunderclap headache: CT and lumbar puncture but occasionally more. Stroke 39:1396PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Day JW, Raskin NH (1986) Thunderclap headache: symptom of unruptured cerebral aneurysm. Lancet 2:1247–1248PubMed Day JW, Raskin NH (1986) Thunderclap headache: symptom of unruptured cerebral aneurysm. Lancet 2:1247–1248PubMed
7.
8.
go back to reference Ferro JM, Melo TP, Oliveira V, Salgado AV, Crespo M, Canhão P et al (1995) A multivariate study of headache associated with ischemic stroke. Headache 35:315–319PubMedCrossRef Ferro JM, Melo TP, Oliveira V, Salgado AV, Crespo M, Canhão P et al (1995) A multivariate study of headache associated with ischemic stroke. Headache 35:315–319PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Schwedt TJ, Dodick DW (2006) Thunderclap stroke: embolic cerebellar infarcts presenting as thunderclap headache. Headache 46:520–522PubMedCrossRef Schwedt TJ, Dodick DW (2006) Thunderclap stroke: embolic cerebellar infarcts presenting as thunderclap headache. Headache 46:520–522PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Gossrau G, Dannenberg C, Reichmann H, Sabatowski R (2008) Thunderclap headache caused by cerebellar infarction. Schmerz 22:82–86PubMedCrossRef Gossrau G, Dannenberg C, Reichmann H, Sabatowski R (2008) Thunderclap headache caused by cerebellar infarction. Schmerz 22:82–86PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Portenoy RK, Abissi CJ, Lipton RB, Berger AR, Mebler MF, Baglivo J (1984) Headache in cerebrovascular disease. Stroke 1984:1009–1012CrossRef Portenoy RK, Abissi CJ, Lipton RB, Berger AR, Mebler MF, Baglivo J (1984) Headache in cerebrovascular disease. Stroke 1984:1009–1012CrossRef
12.
go back to reference Moskowitz MA, Buzzi MG, Sakas DE, Linnik MD (1989) Pain mechanisms underlying vascular headaches. Rev Neurol 145:181–193PubMed Moskowitz MA, Buzzi MG, Sakas DE, Linnik MD (1989) Pain mechanisms underlying vascular headaches. Rev Neurol 145:181–193PubMed
Metadata
Title
Cerebral infarct presenting with thunderclap headache
Authors
Bengt A. Edvardsson
Staffan Persson
Publication date
01-06-2009
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10194-009-0116-4

Other articles of this Issue 3/2009

The Journal of Headache and Pain 3/2009 Go to the issue