Headache Flashcards
What are the pain-sensitive structures that can cause headaches?
dura, dural venous sinus, falx cerebri, middle meningeal artery, circle of Willis, anterior meningeal artery, scalp, CN-5, 9, 10, and proximal segment of pial arteries.
the pain-insensitive structures that do not cause headaches
pial veins, choroid plexus, cerebral parenchyma, and ependyma
difference between primary and secondary headaches?
Primary headaches have no organic or structural cause and are often benign and recurrent, while secondary headaches have a structural or organic cause present.
most consistent finding in increased intracranial pressure?
papilledema
recommended treatment for acute attacks of tension type headache?
Small dose NSAID’s.
recommended long-term treatment for tension type headache?
Amitriptyline or TCA.
the different patterns of aura in classical migraine?
Visual (more common), auditory, or abdominal aura.
most common pattern of aura in classical migraine?
Zig zag pattern on visual field.
other patterns of aura in migraine?
Fortification spectra like a rainbow, Scintillating scotomas.
associated symptoms of migraine?
photophobia, phonophobia, nausea with or without vomiting.
patient’s preference during a migraine attack? And duration
to be in a quiet, dark room. 4-72 hours
most important cytokine linked with migraine headaches?
calcitonin gene related peptide.
pathogenesis of migraine headaches according to the vascular theory?
Aura is due to vasoconstriction, following which there is a vasodilatation which causes headache.
pathogenesis of migraine headaches according to the serotonin theory?
Increased serotonin levels are linked with migraine headaches.
the epicenter of pain in migraine headaches?
The epicenter of pain is the trigeminovascular complex.
