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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
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Hemicrania continua

Robert W Charlson1, Matthew S Robbins

  • 1Department of Neurology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 210th Street, NW1, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA, rcharlso@montefiore.org.

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
|January 24, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Hemicrania continua is a continuous headache disorder causing disability. Research reveals brain pathway activations and highlights the need for new treatments beyond indomethacin.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Headache Medicine

Background:

  • Hemicrania continua is a recognized primary headache disorder.
  • It is characterized by continuous, unilateral, side-locked headaches with autonomic symptoms and indomethacin responsiveness.
  • Despite established features, classification and diagnostic controversies persist.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current understanding of hemicrania continua.
  • To explore recent neuroimaging findings.
  • To discuss diagnostic challenges and treatment needs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical case series.
  • Analysis of recent neuroimaging research.
  • Synthesis of diagnostic and treatment literature.

Main Results:

  • Hemicrania continua presents with continuous unilateral headaches, often with exacerbations and autonomic symptoms.
  • Neuroimaging shows activation in the contralateral posterior hypothalamus and ipsilateral dorsal rostral pons.
  • A significant delay in diagnosis and treatment is common, despite indomethacin efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Hemicrania continua requires accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.
  • Understanding neurobiological pathways offers new insights.
  • Development of alternative treatments is crucial due to long-term indomethacin risks.

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