[The so-called stroke headache]

Sudden violent headache occurring for the first time in life suggests subarachnoid haemorrhage and requires diagnostic management. In 20 cases the authors failed to find blood in cerebrospinal fluid, but in 8 cases the protein level was raised. The patients were examined again after 2-10 years, and had control neurological examination and CT of the brain. In half the cases similar headaches returned after various time periods, and haemorrhage was again ruled out. In all patient chronic headaches of lower intensity developed. Control CT examination showed in 7 cases scars or atrophy of brain tissue. It is difficult to qualify such headaches as migraine and other known types of headache. Recently in the literature a new name has been coined for them--thunderclap headaches, and some authors regard them as a sign of minor intracranial haemorrhage. CT changes, raised protein level in cerebrospinal fluid, and the type of pain may suggest haemorrhage. The usefulness of cerebral arteriography in such patients should be considered. We propose the name of stoke headache for suggesting the cause and special management.