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Current Pain and Headache Reports
Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports 10/2015

01-10-2015 | Concussion and Head Injury (S Lucas, Section Editor)

Posttraumatic Headache: Clinical Characterization and Management

Author: Sylvia Lucas

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 10/2015

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Abstract

Headache is the most common symptom after traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI has become a global health concern with an estimated 2.5 million reported TBIs per year in the USA alone. Recent longitudinal studies of posttraumatic headache (PTH) show a high cumulative incidence of 71 % after moderate or severe TBI and an even higher cumulative incidence of 91 % after mild TBI (mTBI) at 1 year after injury. Prevalence remains high at over 44 % throughout the year after moderate or severe TBI and over 54 % after mTBI. A prior history of headache is associated with a higher risk for PTH, whereas older age appears to be protective. Gender does not appear to be a risk factor for PTH. Most PTH has clinical diagnostic criteria meeting that of migraine or probable migraine when primary headache disorder classification criteria are used, followed by tension-type headache. There are no evidence-based treatment guidelines for PTH management; however, expert opinion has suggested treating the PTH using primary headache disorder treatment recommendations according to its type.
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Metadata
Title
Posttraumatic Headache: Clinical Characterization and Management
Author
Sylvia Lucas
Publication date
01-10-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 10/2015
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-015-0520-1