Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania coexisting with migraine. Differential response to pharmacological treatment

J Pareja1, J Pareja

  • 1Hospital de Lierena, Badajoz, Spain.

Headache
|February 1, 1992
PubMed

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.

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