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MedEd Lectures > Headaches > Flashcards

Headaches Flashcards

1
Q

What are sinister causes of headache

A

VIVID

  1. Vascular (SAH/haematoma)
  2. Infection (meningitis/encephalitis)
  3. Vision threatening (temporal arteritis/acute glaucoma)
  4. Intracranial pressure (SOL, hydrocephalus)
  5. Dissection (carotid dissection)
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2
Q

In terms of SOCRATES how do tension headaches present

A 
S: generalised + bilateral 
O: gradual or acute 
C: constant pressure, as if the head were squeezing by a vise 
R: can occur lower back of head, neck and eye
A: usually none
T: more than 30 mins. Usually 3-4 hours 
E: Analgesics help 
S: moderate
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3
Q

What causes tension headaches

A
  1. Stress
  2. Dehydration
  3. Lack of sleep
  4. Exertion
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4
Q

What is the management for tension headache

A

Simple analgesics

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5
Q

In terms of SOCRATES (SOCATES), how does migraine present

A 
S: unilateral 
O: paroxysmal (sudden attack)
C: pulsating/throbbing 
A: pre-monitoring phase (aura) 
T: 4-72 hours 
E: physical activity/stress/straining 
S: moderate to severe
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6
Q

What can migraine be proceeded by

A
  1. Irritability
  2. depression
  3. fatigue
  4. aura hallucinations
    (strange smell, lights, visual disturbances)
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7
Q

What are the associated symptoms with migraine

A
  1. Nausea + vomiting
  2. photophobia
  3. phono-phobia
  4. osmo-phobia
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8
Q

In terms of SOCRATES, how does migraine present

A 
S: unilateral 
O: paroxysmal (sudden attack)
C: pulsating/throbbing 
A: pre-monitoring phase (aura)
visual changes, aphasia, tingling numbness 
T: 4-72 hours 
E: physical activity/stress/straining 
S: moderate to severe
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9
Q

What acronym can be used to remember migraine symptoms

A 
POUND
Pulsating 
One day onset 
Unilateral 
Nausea 
Disabling
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10
Q

Who is more likely to have migraines, males or females

A

females

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11
Q

What are the possible triggers for migriaine

A
  1. Cheese
  2. OCP
  3. Caffeine
  4. alcohol
  5. stress
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12
Q

What are the investigations for migraine

A

None

unless other differentials suspected (meningitis/subarachnoid haemorrhage)

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13
Q

What is the conservative management for migraine

A

Headache diary: ask them to avoid precipitating factors

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14
Q

What is the acute medical treatment for migraine

A
  1. Sumatriptan (5HT-agonists)
    • Analgesia (NSAID)
  3. Antiemetic (metoclopramide)
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15
Q

In terms of SOCRATES (SOATS), how do cluster headaches present

A

S: unilateral, behind the eye
O: acute onset, same time each day (alarm clock headaches)
C: shooting, stabbing
R:
A: swollen eyelid and forehead swelling, nasal congestion, Horner’s syndrome
T: 20-30 minutes
S: Severe: can be disabling and can wake individuals from sleep

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16
Q

What autonomic responses do people get in cluster headaches

A
  1. Swollen eyelid and forehead
  2. Red eye
  3. tearing
  4. Runny nose
  5. Horner’s syndrome
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17
Q

Who is affected by cluster headaches more, male or females

A

males

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18
Q

What is the pattern of symptoms in a cluster headache

A

Patients may have daily headaches for a 5-10 week cluster, and this repeats itself once a year

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19
Q

What are the investigations for cluster headaches

A

None

unless other differentials are suspected (meningitis, subarachnoid haemorrhage)

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20
Q

What is the acute medical treatment for cluster headaches

A
  1. 100% oxyegn via a non-rebreathable mask

2. Sumitriptan (5HT agonist) - subcut

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21
Q

What is the prophylactic medical treatment for cluster headaches

A

Verapamil

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22
Q

In terms of SOCRATES, how does raised intracranial pressure present (SOAE)

A 
S: bilateral 
O: gradual, present in the morning
A: Vomiting, drowsiness, irritability  
- seizures 
- bilateral papilloedema (disc swelling)
- focal neurology 
E: worse when lying down, bending over and coughing
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23
Q

What are causes of raised intracranial pressure

A
  1. space occupying lesion (tumour, abscess, haemorrhage)
  2. hydrocephalus
  3. trauma
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24
Q

What are investigations for raised intracranial pressure

A

Urgent MRI (or CT) to determine underlying lesion

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25
Q

In terms of SOCRATES (SOATS), what is the presentation of subarachnoid haemorrhage

A

S: usually occipital
O: sudden onset, thunderclap headache
A: syncope, nausea, vomiting
Meningeal irritation can lead to meningism (triad: neck stiffness, nausea, headache)
Can present with signs of raised ICP
T: continuous
S: very severe - maximum intensity within minutes

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26
Q

What are the possible causes of subarachnoid haemorrhages

A
  1. berry aneurysm at the junction of the circle of Willis
    Aneurysms risk increased with Hx or FHx of polycystic kidney disease
  2. 20% idiopathic
  3. other risk factors include alcohol/smoking/hypertension
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27
Q

What are the investigations for a subarachnoid haemorrhage

A
  1. urgent CT scan within 12 hours
  2. Lumber puncture within 12 hours
    - if CT is normal
    - Xanthochromia oxyhaemoglobin
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28
Q

What is xanthochromia

A

Metabolised blood which is yellowish consisting of bilirubin

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29
Q

What is the surgical management for SAH

A

Refer immediately to neurosurgery

  • surgical clipping
  • endovascular coil embolization
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30
Q

What is the acute medical treatment for SAH

A 
Cardiopulmonary support 
AB: maintain airway and breathing 
C: maintain cerebral perfusion 
keep well hydrated 
Maintain blood pressure
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31
Q

What are further supportive measures for SAH

A
  1. Reduce high ICP
    - osmotic diuretic (mannitol) or hypertonic saline
  2. Prevent cerebral artery vasospasm
    - Nimodipine
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32
Q

What can be given to reduce cerebral artery vasospasm

A

Nimodipine

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33
Q

What causes cerebral artery vasospasm in subarachnoid haemorrhage

A

When the cerebral artery is bathed in blood from a subarachnoid haemorrhage, it causes vasospasm

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34
Q

In terms of SOCRATES (OAT), how does subdural haemorrhage present

A 
O: gradual onset
A: sleepiness, personality changes 
- diminished verbal and motor response 
- possible signs of raised ICP 
T: continuous
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35
Q

What are the risk factors for subdural haemorrhage

A
  1. Trauma
  2. coagulopathy, anti-coagulant use
  3. advanced age
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36
Q

What is a subdural haemorrhage

A

collection of blood between the dural and arachnoid coverings of the brain. the build up is gradual and is usually venous

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37
Q

In a subdural haemorrhage, what is the origin of the blood

A

Normally venous

38
Q

What are the investigations for subdural haemorrhage

A

urgent non-contrast CT

39
Q

In terms of SOCRATES (OA), how does an epidural haemorrhage present

A

O: acute onset ofter a lucid interval
A: deterioration of GCS + recent direct trauma

40
Q

What is the definition of epidural haemorrhage

A

collection of blood between the dural and periosteum.

This build up is acute and the blood is arterial

41
Q

What is the investigation for an epidural haemorrhage

A

urgent non-contrast CT

42
Q

What is the difference between an epidural + sub dural haemorrhage

A

Epidural: between the dura and the periosteum
Subdural: between the dura matar and the arachnoid matar

Epidural: Arterial blood
Subdural: venous blood

Epidural: acute onset after lucid interval + history of direct trauma
Subdural: gradual + associated with sleepiness and personality changes

note that trauma is a cause of both

43
Q

What is commonly found on examination of a patient with epidural haemorrhage

A

commonly there is scalp trauma

44
Q

On CT, what is the difference in shape of a subdural or epidural haemorrhage

A

subdural: crescent shape
epidural: lenticular shape

45
Q

What symptom might not be present in meningitis

A

A headache is not always present

46
Q

In terms of SOCRATES (OAS), how does meningitis present

A 
O: acute onset 
A: fever, meningism (neck stiffness, photophobia, headache) 
rash (very bad) 
confusion 
seizures 
S: severe
47
Q

What is the aetiology of meningitis

A

Can be bacterial/viral/fungal

48
Q

What are the investigations for meningitis

A
  1. Lumber puncture
    CSF protein/glucose/M&C
  2. Blood culture
  3. CT head
49
Q

What is the treatment for meningitis?

A

Steroids then targeted antibiotic therapy

steroids protect the meningies before the antibiotics go and destroy the bacteria

50
Q

What are the bacterial causes of meningitis in adults/elderly

A
  1. Streptococci pneumoniae,

Listeria monocytogenes

51
Q

What are viral causes of meningitis

A
  1. enterovirus (coxsackie)
  2. herpes simplex virus
  3. HIV
52
Q

What are the fungi causes of meningitis

A
  1. cryptococcus genuses

2. coccidioides genuses

53
Q

What is a miscellaneous cause of meningitis

A

TB

54
Q

What is Kernig’s sign

A 
A way of diagnosing meningitis:
Lay patient flat on their back 
flex their knee to 90 degrees 
Slowly lift patients leg upwards
If this causes back pain 
that is a positive Kernig's sign
55
Q

What is Brudzinski’s sign

A

A way of diagnosing meningitis:

flexing of the neck causing the patient to flex their knees is a positive Brudzinski’s sign

56
Q

What is giant cell arteritis

A

Vasculitis affecting medium sized arteries in the head.
Abnormal ‘giant cells’ develop in the walls of these arteries. The presentation will vary based on which artery is affected

57
Q

What is the most commonly affected artery in giant cell arteritis

A

Temporal artery

temporal arteritis is sometime synonymous with temporal arthritis

58
Q

How does temporal arteritis present

A

Headache and scalp tenderness

59
Q

How does ophthalmic arteritis present

A

Blindness

60
Q

In terms of SOCRATES (SORAE), how does tempiral (giant cell) arteritis present

A 
S: unilateral 
O: usually 1-2 days 
R: none  - localised to the scalp
A: signs due to other affected arteries: jaw pain when eating, visual disturbances 
E: scalp palpation (scalp tenderness)
61
Q

What condition is temporal (giant cell) arteritis associated with

A

polymyalgia rheumatic

62
Q

How does polymyalgia rheumatic present

A

Pain, tenderness and stiffness of the shoulders and upper arms

63
Q

What investigations are done in order to diagnose temporal (giant cell) arteritis

A
  1. Bloods (ESR, CRP, FBC)

2. temporal artery USS, biopsy

64
Q

What is the management of temporal (giant cell) arteritis

A

Urgent prednisolone

65
Q

Prednisolone is a treatment or temporal (Giant cell) arteritis, what are the implications of delaying treatment

A

Any delay can lead to blindness

66
Q

What is trigeminal neuralgia

A

Shooting facial pain in the distribution of the 5th nerve (manly V2). Mostly unilateral

67
Q

What branch of the trigeminal nerve is usually affected in trigeminal neuralgia

A

V2

68
Q

What are the risk factors for trigeminal neuralgia

A

60-80yrs of age
Multiple sclerosis
(+ female + hypertension)

69
Q

What are the investigations for trigeminal neuralgia

A

usually none - can consider MRI

70
Q

What is the management for trigeminal neuralgia

A

Anticonvulsants

carbamazepine

71
Q

What are the presenting symptoms of sinusitis

A

7-10 days history or fever and headache with nasal congestion and discharge

72
Q

What is the management for sinusitis

A

Mainly supportive

If bacterial cause suspected - antibiotics

73
Q

What are the presenting symptoms of medication overuse

A

Rebound daily headaches which can occur in individuals who normally suffer from episodic tension headaches or migraines

74
Q

What causes medication overuse

A

excessive use of analgesia (which can worsen existing headaches)

75
Q

What is the management for medication overuse

A

withdraw medication

Headaches will worsen at first before they improve

76
Q

What is acute glaucoma

A

Sudden blockage around the trabecular network

resulting in a sudden rise in intraocular pressure

77
Q

What are the presenting symptoms of acute glaucoma

A
  1. Headache
  2. Painful eye
  3. visual changes
  4. vomiting
78
Q

What is the management for acute glaucoma

A
  1. Acetazolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor)

2. Timolol (beta-blocker)

79
Q

Andromeda, a 32 year old female presents with recurrent headaches. They are severe, on the right side of her head and often continue for the rest of the day. Before the headaches start she gets tingling in her arms, and when the headaches start she goes to bed. She is worried they might affect her relationship with her new boyfriend.

Cluster headache
Intracranial space-occupying lesion
Medication overuse
Migraine
Tension headache
A

Migraine

80
Q

Homer, a 45 year old male has had excruciating headaches for the last month. He gets them about 5 times a week and notices his eyes watering. He had a similar episode 6 months ago. They are very disruptive to his poetry.

Cluster headache
Intracranial space-occupying lesion
Migraine
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Meningitis
A

Cluster headache

81
Q

Atalanta, a 27 year old female athlete presents to the GP with early morning nausea and headaches which has been happening for at least a week. Both are worst when she wakes up and improve throughout the day. She notes that she has been getting tired over the last few weeks, she is late on her period, and is definitely more irritable with her boyfriend, who despite being an Olympian, keeps leaving apple cores scattered around the house.

Excessive excercise.
Migraine
Pituitary tumour
Pregnancy associated tension headache
Trigeminal neuralgia
A

Pituitary tumour (Causing raised ICP)

82
Q

Aphrodite, a19 year old female sex-worker presents to A&E with a sudden onset headache that is the worst pain she has ever experienced. She occasionally gets mild headaches after sex, and has been given some medication by her GP for his. She has some neck stiffness and refuses to open her eyes wide or allow them to be examined.

Acute glaucoma
Meningitis 
Migraine
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Trigeminal neuralgia
A

Subarachnoid haemorrhage

83
Q

Leonidas, a 24 year old male, was fencing and suffered and injury to the head when his rival, Xerxes hit him on the head with his shield. Leonidas recovered quickly and was able to continue to fight for the next 20 minutes. However he quickly developed an excruciating headache, started to lose consciousness and had to stop the fight to go to the nearest A&E. He has had a blocked nose for the last week.

Epidural haemorrhage
Intraventricular haemorrhage
Meningitis
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Subdural haemorrhage
A

Epidural haemorrhage

84
Q

Euclid is a 19 year old male currently studying Maths at university. He has been very unwell for the last few days with fever and headache and admits to becoming a little confused lately. He is very anxious about his upcoming exams. He has been taking caffeine pills to help him with revision, however this has affected his sleep and for the last couple of nights he has developed a stiff neck.

Medication overuse headache
Meningitis 
Migraine
Tension headache
Sinusitis
A

Meningitis

85
Q

Plutarch is a 77 year old male who has come in with a right sided headache. This started yesterday morning and have been getting progressively worse. His memory is a little off because of his dementia, but he says there is a possibility of trauma. His shoulders and neck also feel a little stiff. On examination, there is pain on palpation of the right forehead.

Intracranial space-occupying lesions
Meningitis 
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Subdural haemorrhage
Temporal arteritis
A

Temporal arteritis

86
Q

Helen is a 40 year old woman with a history of multiple sclerosis. She has developed a headache over the last couple of days. She has travelled the world and rarely had headaches in the past. She has stopped eating, as chewing simply makes her feel worse.

Meningitis
Migraine 
Temporal arteritis
Tension headache
Trigeminal neuralgia
A

Trigeminal neuralgia

87
Q

70 year old Herodotus is brought in by his daughter to the GP. Over the last week he has developed a headache which lasts most of the day and rarely goes. He lives with his daughter and son-in-law as he is prone to falls due to his recent left hip replacement. The daughter also mentions that his father’s behavior has changed lately and tends to exaggerate some of his stories.
What do you think is the most important step in your management plan?

MRI scan
Routine CT scan
Sumitriptan + NSAIDs
Urgent CT scan
Watchful waiting
A

Urgent CT scan

88
Q

Alexander, known to his mates as Alex the G, is a 32 year old soldier who has just returned from a tour in Iran. He tells you that he has been getting throbbing bilateral head pain, and puts this down to lack of sleep. As a general, he has multiple reports to write and is finding this difficult with his four friends constantly bickering about one thing or the other. He hasn’t tried any medication and asks that you prescribe some sleeping pills. What is the most appropriate management?

Diazepam
Codeine
NSAIDs
Topiramate
Refer to A&E
A

NSAIDs

89
Q

Pythagoras is a 40 year old man who suffers from headaches. 3 weeks ago he was prescribed ibuprofen and has taken it religiously. Initially these worked really well, however now the headaches have returned and are worse than ever. He is very angry and does not think you are taking the right angle towards managing his issue. What is the next course of management?

Antibiotics
Add a β-blocker
Refer to A&E
Switch medication to carbamazepine
Ask to stop ibuprofen and see in 2 weeks
A

Ask to stop ibuprofen and see in 2 weeks

90
Q

Hippocrates is a 71 year old homeopath who presents with a left sided headache which came on yesterday morning. He tried to tread it with a clever paste made of garlic, vinegar and honey. When he applied the paste he was in great pain, and so believed that his remedy was working. However, his skeptical son told him to see “another doctor” for treatment. What is the most important next step?

Prescribe prednisolone and refer patient to A&E

Prescribe sumitriptan and NSAIDs

Refer to A&E for urgent CT scan

Refer to A&E for urgent non-contrast CT scan

Refer to A&E for MRI

A

Prescribe prednisolone and refer patient to A&E

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