Don't Forget Rare Causes of Postpartum Headache! Cases Report and Literature Review

Marco Di Paolo1, Aniello Maiese1, Ornella Mangiacasale2

  • 1Section of Legal Medicine, S. Chiara Hospital, University of Pisa, via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.

Headache is a common finding in the postpartum period, caused by a spectrum of different conditions. Most headaches in the postpartum period are self-limiting and benign in etiology, but there are some potentially serious causes to be considered. We disclose two cases of postpartum headache, initially considered as post-dural puncture headache (PDPH), that evolved into a harmful condition and showed that an expanded differential diagnosis for headache in the postpartum is mandatory, requiring a high level of attention from health professionals. In fact, a careful examination of the medical history, physical examination, and the recognition for the need for early neuroradiological imaging should increase diagnostic accuracy.

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