Common Conditions of the Head and Neck Flashcards
What is the aetiology of infection headaches?
Presence of infection
Activated immune and supporting cells
Release of inflammatory mediators
Direct effect of microorganisms
What are the clinical features of infection headaches?
Temporal region
Relationship to onset of infection
Has either worsened or improved in relation to the infection
Fever, malaise
What is the aetiology of sinus related headaches?
Infection
Allergy
Predisposing factors for chronicity
What can sinus headaches be mistaken for?
Migraine or TTH
What are the clinical features of sinus headaches?
Temporal relationship to onset of sinusitis
HA either worsened or improved in parallel with sinusitis
HA exacerbated by pressure applied over paranasal sinuses
What is the aetiology of tension type headaches?
Peripheral and central mechanisms at play
Psychogenic component
What do TTH need at least 2 of?
Bilateral
Pressing or tightening quality (non-pulsatile)
Mild to moderate intensity
No aggravation with routine PA
What must TTH not be accompanied by?
Nausea or vomiting
No more than one of either photophobia or phonophobia
What structure are usually affected by TTH?
Pericranial: frontalis, temporalils, masseter, pterygoids, SCM, splenius, trapezius
What is the pathophysiology of migraine?
Often menstrual relationship
Vascular dysregulation
Spreading cortical depression
Neuronal sensitisation
How long to migraines typically last?
4-72 hours
What symptoms do migraines bear at least 2 of?
Unilateral
Pulsating
Moderate to severe
Aggravation by PA
What symptoms are migraines associated with at least one of?
Nausea and/or vomiting
Phonophobia and photophobia
What differentiates migraines with and without aura?
Focal neurological symptoms
Prodromal symptoms (begin hours or even 1-2 days before symptoms)
Postdrome symptoms (persist for up to 48 hours)
What is the aetiology of cervicogenic headaches?
Convergence of cervical afferents and trigeminal sensory fibres in the trigeminocervical nucleus
What is the pathophysiology of cervicogenic headaches?
Occipital region
Can radiate to parietal region, vertex of skull or behind the eye
Accompanied by dysfunction in the upper cervical segments (reduced ROM, tissue tenderness)
What are the clinical features of cervicogenic headaches?
Typically unilateral
Relationship between onset of cervical disorder and HA
Reduced ROM
HA made worse by provocative manouevres
HA abolished following diagnostic blockage of cervical structure or nerve supply
What is the aetiology of TMJ related headaches?
TMJ muscles of mastication and/or associated structures
What are the pain generators of TMJ headaches?
Articular disc and joint capsule
Articular surfaces e.g. OA
Myofascial structures
What clinical features must TMJ headaches have at least two of?
Relationship to onset of TMJ disorder
Aggravated by jaw motion, jaw function (e.g. jaw motion, etc.), and/or jaw parafunction (bruxism)
HA provoked on physical exam by temporalis muscle palpation and/or passive movement of the jaw
What is a CAD?
Tear in the carotid or vertebral arteries
What is the cause of pain in CAD?
Tunica adventitia is innervated with nociceptors
What is the aetiology of CAD?
Most are spontaneous 61%
Some are due to trauma 30%
Few associated with spine manipulation
What are the risk factors for CAD?
History of cervical spine trauma
Recency of trauma: immediate > 5 days post trauma
HTN or other risk factors for CVD
Past history or family history of migraine
Relationship with cervical manipulation
What clinical features must CAD have 2 of?
Sudden onset unilateral headache
Affecting frontal, temporal, occipital or supraorbital regions
Unilateral neck and facial pain
Constant and severe pain (ache, throbbing, sharp)
Unlike anything they have experienced previously
What are associated symptoms with CAD?
Horner’s syndrome: cranial neuropathy e.g. hypoglossal
Upper and lower limb neurological symptoms - weakness, ataxia
Pulsating tinnitus