Paroxysmal pressing headache: A new short-lasting headache

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Headache Medicine

Background:

• Headache disorders represent a significant global health burden.
• Diagnostic criteria for primary headaches are well-established, but novel headache presentations continue to emerge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a series of patients presenting with a previously undescribed type of headache.
• To characterize the clinical features and potential treatment responses of this new headache syndrome.

Main Methods:

• A 4-year prospective recruitment of 14 patients with a distinctive head pain.
• Detailed collection of patient demographics, pain characteristics, and response to treatments.
• Exclusion of patients meeting criteria for other primary headache disorders.

Main Results:

• Patients experienced spontaneous headache attacks lasting 2-15 minutes.
• Pain was localized to one side of the head, with shifting location in most patients.
• Pain quality was pressing, ranging from mild to severe intensity, with no associated symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Paroxysmal pressing headache may represent a distinct new headache syndrome.
• Key features include short duration, pressing quality, and variable unilateral location.
• Limited treatment responses were observed with antidepressants, indomethacin, and NSAIDs.