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Published on: June 2, 2014
Abdominal and lower back pain in pediatric idiopathic stabbing headache
Yosuke Kakisaka1, Tomoichiro Ohara, Naomi Hino-Fukuyo
1Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University, Seiryo-machi 1, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan 980-8574. kakisuke@mui.biglobe.ne.jp.
Insights
Idiopathic stabbing headache (ISH) in children is rare. This case highlights that ISH can present with unusual abdominal and back pain, suggesting a link to migraine mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Idiopathic stabbing headache (ISH) is a primary headache disorder.
- Pediatric ISH is uncommon, with extracephalic pain being exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- A 7-year-old boy experienced frequent, sharp headaches.
- These headaches were intermittently accompanied by abdominal and lower back pain.
- Standard investigations revealed no underlying pathology.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with pediatric ISH.
- Valproic acid effectively managed both the headaches and associated extracephalic pain.
- This case suggests ISH may manifest with symptoms similar to migraine.
Implications:
- Pediatric ISH can present with extracephalic symptoms like abdominal and back pain.
- The shared symptoms suggest a potential common pathophysiological mechanism between ISH and migraine.
- Further research is needed to define the clinical profile of these rare ISH presentations.
Abstract:
Idiopathic stabbing headache (ISH) is a primary headache syndrome characterized by transient, sharp, stabbing pains located in the first division of the trigeminal nerve. Reports of pediatric ISH are rare, and extracephalic pain in pediatric ISH is extremely rare. Here we report the case of a 7-year-old male patient suffering from frequent, short, stabbing headache, which was occasionally associated with abdominal and lower back pain. Various investigations were normal. He was diagnosed with ISH, and valproic acid was administered to relieve his headache and accompanying symptoms. Our case demonstrates that abdominal and lower back pain may occur in pediatric ISH. This case may provide new evidence linking ISH and migraine by showing that extracephalic symptoms accompanying ISH are similar to those of migraine. We hypothesize that the mechanism underlying the headache and abdominal and lower back pain associated with ISH may be similar to that of a migraine headache. Accumulating additional cases by asking specific questions regarding the presence of the unusual symptoms presented in our case may help to establish a detailed clinical profile of these unfamiliar and peculiar symptoms in the pediatric ISH population.
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