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Chronic post-traumatic headaches classified and compared with natural headaches
1Department of Neurology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse, USA.
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Chronic post-traumatic headaches are symptomatically identical to natural headaches, not caused by head injuries. This study found no unique features in post-traumatic headaches compared to chronic tension-type or migraine headaches.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Headache Medicine
Background:
- Chronic post-traumatic headaches are a common sequela of head trauma.
- The underlying pathophysiology and distinct characteristics of these headaches remain debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether chronic post-traumatic headaches (CPTH) exhibit unique features compared to naturally occurring headaches.
- To classify CPTH according to established diagnostic criteria and compare their characteristics with control groups.
Main Methods:
- The International Headache Society's diagnostic criteria were used to classify the headaches of 48 patients with CPTH.
- Headache characteristics and accompaniments were compared between post-traumatic and control groups with similar headache types.
Main Results:
- 75% of CPTH were classified as chronic tension-type headache, 21% as migraine without aura, and 4% as unclassifiable.
- No significant differences were observed in the characteristics or accompaniments between post-traumatic and control headache groups.
Conclusions:
- Chronic post-traumatic headaches are symptomatically identical to chronic tension-type headache or migraine without aura.
- These findings suggest that CPTH arise from the same pathophysiological mechanisms as natural headaches, rather than intracranial derangement from trauma.