8. Headache Flashcards
define a primary headache
a head pain syndrome occurring in the absence of cranial or systemic pathology (sui generis)
define a secondary headache
occurs in temporal association with cranial, extracranial, or systemic pathology
headache: symptom or diagnosis?
symptom
headache: goal of assessment?
determine if primary or secondary, then specify what type it is!
most headaches: primary or secondary?
primary
qualities of a primary headache?
benign, few in number
qualities of a secondary headache? possible underlying disease states?
symptom of many possible underlying disease states (infection, hemorrhage, incr ICP, brain tumor)
what two types of headaches account for over 90% of primary headaches?
migraine, tension-type
general approach to a headache?
figure out if there are warning signs that point to a secondary headache. if not, dx primary headache. if non-responsive to therapy, may need to re-assess. remember that pts can have 2 kinds of headaches!
acronym for red flags of headaches? these warrant aggressive workup including imaging
SNOOP:
- Systemic symptoms (fever, wt loss) or secondary risk factors (cancer, HIV)
- Neurologic sx
- Onset: sudden
- Older patient with new onset or progressive HA
- Prior HA history: if this HA is first, different, or changing
what will be seen with meningitis/encephalitis?
fever mental status changes focal neuro deficites may have seizures headache most often diffuse, may be pulsatile. may have N/V classic example: HSV encephalitis
HSV encephalitis: what will be s/s?
fever, stiff neck, cog changes (loss of smell?), neuro deficits due to necrotizing progression
HSV encephalitis: labs? treatment?
MRI abnl early
EEG with periodic complexes
CSF
Treat with acyclovir
Brain tumor: signs/sx?
- HA often not initial symptom. May be progressive, worse with recumbency.
- Raised ICP
- deficits, seizures, diplopia (6th nerve palsy), papilledema on fundoscopy
what is the difference between a stroke and an Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)?
stroke means the brain has already been damaged. TIA is a warning sign. if you catch TIA (maybe with sign of headache) may be able to prevent stroke
stroke: signs/sx?
N/V likely if hemorrhagic stroke
HA may be localized or holocranial
why are older patients of particular concern when they come in with HA?
most patients with migraine and tension-type will have onset before 40.
stroke/TIA moves up in your DDx with what types of patients?
older and have risk factors for stroke
presentation of subarachnoid hemorrhage?
sudden, dramatic. N/V, worse headache of someone’s life. most dramatic presentation of all the headaches.
mental status changes, neck stiffness, fever, coma
subarachnoid hemorrhage: workup?
CT, lumbar puncture with presence of red cells, elevated protein, incr ICP.
why N/V with subarachnoid hemorrhage?
blood is irritating to the meninges
cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage?
ruptured aneurysm (arterial)
subarachnoid hemorrhage: sentinal event?
possible that there will be a leak of blood, leading to headache/seizure prior to hemorrhage.
epidural hematoma: presentation?
often post-trauma or concussion. rapid arterial bleeding (often MMA) leads to rapid incr in ICP. may have a lucid interval and then deteriorate so we keep them under observation.
subdural hematoma: presentation?
slow/venous bleeding as opposed to rapid arterial (like epidural). blood can accumulate in the potential space of the subdura. mental status changes, headache, evolving neuro deficits
subdural hematoma: paralysis/ headache? where will these be present?
Contralateral hemipareisis, ipsalateral headache.
Giant cell arteritis: what is the first thing to think? why?
50! age 50, or ESR >50.
Giant cell arteritis: presentation of headache?
new headache, or worsening of pre-existing HA.