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Published on: June 2, 2014
Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania coexisting with migraine. Differential response to pharmacological treatment
Insights
This study shows that chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (CPH) and migraine are distinct headache disorders. Indomethacin effectively treated CPH but not migraine, indicating they are unrelated conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Headache Medicine
Background:
- Migraine is a common primary headache disorder.
- Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (CPH) is a rare, distinct headache condition.
Observation:
- A 30-year-old woman experienced coexisting migraine and CPH for one year.
- CPH attacks began at age 29, while migraine had a 14-year history.
Findings:
- Indomethacin treatment resolved CPH attacks completely.
- Migraine symptoms remained unaffected by indomethacin.
- The distinct responses suggest independent pathophysiological mechanisms.
Implications:
- CPH and migraine are separate neurological conditions.
- Co-occurrence is likely coincidental due to migraine's prevalence.
- Differential diagnosis and targeted treatment are crucial for managing these distinct headaches.
Abstract:
A 30 year old woman, suffering from migraine for 14 years, started having chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (CPH) attacks at the age of 29. Both types of headache coexisted for a year without any apparent influence of one type on the other. Treatment with indomethacin had a dramatic effect on the CPH attacks but did not modify the course of the migraine. The independent clinical courses and the differential response to indomethacin are consistent with the knowledge that both types of headache are different and that there is no relationship between them. Owing to the high prevalence of migraine it is likely that some CPH sufferers may have a familial or personal history of migraine; therefore the conjunction of CPH and migraine occurs by chance.
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