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Published on: November 5, 2019
Postmeningitis headache: case report.
André Palma da Cunha Matta1, Márcia Cristina Antunes Ribas, Pedro Ferreira Moreira Filho
1Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói RJ, Brazil.
Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|August 1, 2007
Summary
A young patient developed severe migraine-like headaches after meningococcal meningitis. Prophylactic treatment with amitriptyline and atenolol led to symptom remission, suggesting a link between meningitis and new-onset headaches.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Meningococcal meningitis is a serious bacterial infection.
- Headaches are a common symptom of meningitis, but persistent migraine-like headaches post-infection are less understood.
Observation:
- An 18-year-old female presented with new-onset, intense, unilateral, pulsatile headaches post-acute meningococcal meningitis.
- The patient had no prior history of recurrent headaches.
Findings:
- The headache attacks increased in frequency over several weeks.
- Prophylactic treatment with amitriptyline and atenolol resulted in complete remission of the headache attacks.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential complication of meningococcal meningitis, involving the development of secondary migraine-like headaches.
- Effective management may involve prophylactic pharmacotherapy, such as with amitriptyline and atenolol.
- Further research is warranted to explore the pathophysiology and long-term outcomes of post-meningitis headaches.
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