Case 4- Headache Flashcards
Migraine headache
Unilateral pulsating headache
Last between hours-days
May be visual aura (scotoma)
Photophobia, nausea, phonophobia
Sufferers don’t want to move
Children- GI disturbance
NB- can get slight paralysis
Management of migraines
Limit stimuli, supportive management (diet, exercise etc.)
Acute- oral triptan (not in pregnancy) and NSAID (or paracetamol)
Prophylaxis (2 or more attacks per month)- topiramate or propranolol (use the latter in pregnancy and women of child-bearing age)
NB- antiemetic in migraine: metoclopramide (no more than 5 days- risk of extra-pyramidal side effects)
Cluster headache
Short painful attacks around one eye
Last between 30mins-3 hours
Occur once/twice a day for 1-3 months
May be lacrimation/ flushing
Can see partial Horner syndrome
Tend to be pacing around in agony (unlike migraine sufferers)
NB- can also get aura, photophobia, hyperacusis, swollen red eye
Management- 100% oxygen, s/c triptan
verapamil (or lithium/Prednisolone) for prophylaxis
Tension headaches
Bilateral tight band sensation
Recurrent
Occurs late in the day
Associations with stress
Tightness in muscles of the neck
Use paracetamol or NSAID
Supportive- lifestyle modifications (esp. stress)
Acupuncture as prophylaxis
Investigations for GCA
Bloods- ESR, CRP, LFTS (raises ALP)
Temporal artery biopsy- gold standard (if biopsy negative and still clinically suspicious- treat anyway)
Management of GCA
Steroids (PPI and bone protection)
Aspirin
Referral to vascular surgeons, ophthalmology (same day if vision loss), and rheumatology
Trigeminal neuralgia
2 second paroxysms of stabbing pain in unilateral trigeminal nerve distribution (electric shock)
Face screws up with pain (tic doloroux)
Carbamazepine is first line
If doesn’t respond or atypical features/red flags- refer to neurology
NB- could be a tumour pressing on the trigeminal ganglion. MRI head may be me necessary
Investigations for meningitis
Bedside- pneumococcal urinary antigen, lumbar puncture with viral PCR, throat swabs for n. Meningitidis and s. Pneumoniae
Bloods- FBC (WCC, anaemia), UE, cultures at different sites, clotting profile (DIC), LFT (derangement), serology for common meningitis viruses
CT head- when neurological symptoms predominate
Involve microbiology early
Management of meningitis
Supportive- IV fluids, notify PHE
Medical- IV cefotaxime (add IV amoxicillin if younger than 3 months or older than 50 years), IV steroids if older than 3 months, one dose PEP for any contacts within 7 days of onset (oral rifampicin or ciprofloxacin)
NB- in community IM benzylpenicillin should be used
Contraindications to steroids;
-Septic shock
-Meningococcal septicaemia
-Meningitis post-surgery
-Immunocompromised
-<3months
Kernigs test
Lie patient on back- flex one hip and knee to 90 degrees and slowly straighten the knee whilst keeping the knee flexed
Positive test- spinal pain/ resistance to movement
Brudzinskis test
Lie patient flat on back and use hands to lift their head and neck off the bed to touch their chest with their chin
Positive- patient involuntarily flexes hips and knees
Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
Usually the result of a cerebral aneurysm
Very sudden onset severe headache
Meningismus
Deviation of central sulcus on a CT and blood present in the sulci
Meningitis Features
Triad- fever, headache, nuchal rigidity
Altered mental state, photophobia, nausea and vomiting, malaise, seizures, purpuric rash, Kernigs and Brudzinskis
In neonates triad is typically absent, so may show lethargy, hypotonia, irritability, n and v, dyspnoea, fontanelle bulge, high pitched cry, seizures (all latter symptoms)
Encephalitis
May be similar to meningitis but more focal neurological deficits eg. Seizures, behavioural changes, altered consciousness
Notifiable diseases PHE
Encephalitis
Hepatitis
Meningitis
Food poisoning
Legionnaires
Malaria
TB
Encephalitis investigations
Lumbar puncture with PCR for HSV
Throat swab
Bloods- FBC UE cultures at different sites
CT head- oedema frontal lobes
EEG
Migraine risk factors
Stress, chocolate, red wine, cheese, hormonal changes in women, analgesia overuse
Cluster headache management
Triptans
High flow oxygen
Prednisone as prophylactic treatment
Contraindications to a lumbar puncture
Raised ICP- papilloedema, focal neurology
Coagulation defect
Sign of infection at site of needle insertion
Encephalitis risk factors
Animal or insect bite
Freshwater swimming
Epidural haematoma
Middle meninges artery rupture (or dural venous sinus)
Lucid interval very typical
Fusiform shape on CT- doesn’t cross the suture lines
Subdural haematoma
Venous in origin- bridging veins
Elderly (anticoagulation), alcoholics, debilitated people at risk
Fluctuating levels of consciousness- injury can be weeks ago
Crescent shaped haematoma- crosses the suture lines, mass effect (midline shift)
Chronic (old subdurals) are hypodense (dark) on imaging
Surgical decompression with burr holes if symptomatic
Raised ICP Sx
Headache, vomiting, blurred vision, reduced GCS, bradycardia, HTN, paiploedema
Medication overuse headache features
Present for 15 or more days a month
Developed or worse whilst taking meds
Opioids and Triptans- most at risk