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Adolescent disc degeneration--no headache association
K Laimi1, M Erkintalo, L Metsähonkala
1Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Finland. klaimi@utu.fi
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|January 11, 2007
Summary
Adolescent headaches are not linked to cervical spine disc degeneration. Mild spinal changes are common in teens but do not cause headaches, according to MRI scans.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Adolescent Medicine
Background:
- Headache is a common complaint in adolescents.
- Cervical spine disc degeneration is a potential concern, but its prevalence and association with headache in adolescents are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between headache and cervical spine disc degeneration in adolescents.
- To compare disc degeneration in adolescents with and without frequent headaches.
Main Methods:
- Population-based follow-up study involving 17-year-old adolescents.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine was performed on 47 adolescents with headache and 22 headache-free controls.
- MRI scans were independently reviewed by three neuroradiologists to assess disc degeneration.
Main Results:
- Disc degeneration was observed in 67% of all participants.
- No significant difference in the prevalence of cervical spine disc degeneration was found between adolescents with headache and headache-free controls.
- Degenerative changes were predominantly located in the lower cervical spine.
Conclusions:
- Mild cervical spine disc degeneration is common in adolescents.
- Adolescent headache is not associated with increased cervical spine disc degeneration.
- The presence of mild degenerative changes in the cervical spine does not appear to be a contributing factor to headaches in this age group.
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