Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache
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Case Reports
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: Is it more than just cerebral vasoconstriction?
Systemic vascular alterations have not been described in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). We present a case series of RCVS patients having cardiac dysfunction during ictus, with a subset showing complete resolution of cardiomyopathy. ⋯ Although the exact pathophysiology of the cardiomyopathy is uncertain, it may be related to localized coronary vasoconstriction causing myocardial ischemia/infarction. Vasoconstriction may not be limited to the cerebral vasculature and may involve extracerebral organs. Cardiac ventricular abnormalities may be a part of the RCVS spectrum.
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Between attacks, migraine is associated with hypersensitivities to sensory stimuli. The objective of this study was to investigate hypersensitivity to pain in migraineurs between attacks. ⋯ This study provides evidence that migraineurs have low heat pain thresholds between migraine attacks. Mechanisms underlying these lower pain thresholds could also predispose migraineurs to their next migraine attack, a hypothesis supported by finding positive correlations between pain thresholds and time to next migraine attack.
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The objectives of this article are to compare interictal and ictal visual sensitivity between migraine and controls using two published questionnaires, and to correlate responses with a physiologic measure of visual cortex activation. ⋯ Increased interictal visual sensitivity is present both in MWA and MwoA. However, the correlation with ictal visual sensitivity and with cortical hyper-responsivity varies between MWA and MwoA, suggesting underlying differences between groups.
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Case Reports
Application of the capsaicin 8% cutaneous patch in neuropathic pain of the head and face: A case series.
Treatment of neuropathic or neuralgic head and facial pain due to dental, traumatic or surgical nerve lesions or post-herpetic neuropathy is often challenging. ⋯ Treatment with the capsaicin 8% patch seems to be effective and safe for application to the facial and head region. The capsaicin 8% patch might be an additional treatment option if first-line treatment with anticonvulsants or antidepressants was ineffective or limited by side effects.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Space headache on Earth: head-down-tilted bed rest studies simulating outer-space microgravity.
Headache is a common symptom during space travel, both isolated and as part of space motion syndrome. Head-down-tilted bed rest (HDTBR) studies are used to simulate outer space microgravity on Earth, and allow countermeasure interventions such as artificial gravity and training protocols, aimed at restoring microgravity-induced physiological changes. ⋯ Simulated microgravity during HDTBR induces headache episodes, mostly on the first day. Countermeasures are useful in reducing headache severity and associated symptoms. Reversible, microgravity-induced cephalic fluid shift may cause headache, also on Earth. HDTBR can be used to study space headache on Earth.