Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
[A woman with unilateral headache]
Kai Ivar Müller1, Svein Ivar Bekkelund
1Nevrologisk avdeling, Universitetssykehuset Nord-Norge, 9038 Tromsø, Norway. kai.ivar.muller@unn.no
A woman in her fifties, with a long history of side-locked unilateral headache, was hospitalized for left-sided side-locked paroxysmal headache (attacks with 10-20 min duration). Clinical and neurological examinations, and brain MRI revealed normal findings. She responded well to indomethacin (50 mg three times daily). Due to non-compliance because of dyspepsia, which delayed the final diagnosis of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (CPH) for 16, months indomethacin was administered both rectally and orally. A retrospective review of her medical history showed 15 years of unsuccessfully treated unilateral headache, until she responded completely to rofecoxib. Ipsilateral cranial autonomic symptoms also supported the diagnosis of hemicrania continua, although these symptoms presented before indomethacin was tried. Diagnostic delay and misdiagnoses of unilateral headaches, as illustrated by this case, shows the clinical controversies and difficulties in diagnosing and treating this condition.
A woman in her fifties, with a long history of side-locked unilateral headache, was hospitalized for left-sided side-locked paroxysmal headache (attacks with 10-20 min duration). Clinical and neurological examinations, and brain MRI revealed normal findings. She responded well to indomethacin (50 mg three times daily). Due to non-compliance because of dyspepsia, which delayed the final diagnosis of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (CPH) for 16, months indomethacin was administered both rectally and orally. A retrospective review of her medical history showed 15 years of unsuccessfully treated unilateral headache, until she responded completely to rofecoxib. Ipsilateral cranial autonomic symptoms also supported the diagnosis of hemicrania continua, although these symptoms presented before indomethacin was tried. Diagnostic delay and misdiagnoses of unilateral headaches, as illustrated by this case, shows the clinical controversies and difficulties in diagnosing and treating this condition.
Related Concept Videos
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
Equilibrium and Balance
Seizures l: Introduction
