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Published on: June 2, 2014
Evaluation of the new ICHD-III beta cluster headache criteria
I F de Coo1, L A Wilbrink2, J Haan3
1Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands g.m.terwindt@lumc.nl.
Aim:
In the revised criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-III beta) the following items are added to the diagnostic criteria of cluster headache: ipsilateral sensation of fullness in the ear and ipsilateral forehead/facial flushing. We evaluated the possible additional value of these symptoms for diagnosing cluster headache.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional cohort study of (potential) cluster headache patients we investigated these additional symptoms using a Web-based questionnaire. Patients not fulfilling the ICHD-II criteria for cluster headache but fulfilling the ICHD-III beta criteria were interviewed.
Results:
Response rate was 916/1138 (80.5%). Of all 573 patients with cluster headache according to ICHD-II criteria, 192 (33.5%) reported ipsilateral ear fullness and 113 (19.7%) facial flushing during attacks. There was no difference in reporting ipsilateral ear fullness and facial flushing between patients who received a diagnosis of cluster headache and patients who did not. None of the patients who did not fulfill all ICHD-II criteria could be categorized as cluster headache according to the ICHD-III beta criteria.
Conclusion:
The results of this study do not support the addition of ear fullness and facial flushing to the new ICHD-III beta criteria.
