The Journal of head trauma rehabilitation
-
J Head Trauma Rehabil · Feb 1999
ReviewPosttraumatic headache: neuropsychological and psychological effects and treatment implications.
Posttraumatic headache (PTHA) is a frequent occurrence following trauma to the head, brain, and/or neck. Estimates of persistence for 6 months are as high as 44%. ⋯ Viewing PTHA from a biopsychosocial perspective, a general outline is offered for improving both assessment and treatment of PTHA. In addition, the most promising psychology-based treatment interventions are reviewed.
-
This article presents an overview of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of posttraumatic headache. It reviews definitions of mild head injury (MHI), mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), and concussion, and discusses the confusion that often occurs with these terms. ⋯ Possible connections between head or neck injuries and headache are reviewed, as well as hypothesized neurochemical changes that may occur in both migraine and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Psychological and legal factors are also considered.
-
This case presentation will review tension pneumocephalus as a rare etiology of delayed posttraumatic headache (PTHA). It demonstrates that clinicians must be aware of even the uncommon causes of PTHA if appropriate diagnostic assessment and treatment are to be rendered. The case involves a 26-year-old right-handed white male who was 4 years post severe traumatic brain injury with facial fractures and an initial Glasgow Coma Scale score of 5. ⋯ The patient was referred to neurosurgery, at which time the tension pneumocephalus was evacuated and a dural leak, felt to be responsible for the condition, patched. The patient's headache complaints resolved postoperatively. Clinicians should be aware of uncommon conditions that may be present in patients presenting with late PTHA, particularly conditions such as tension pneumocephalus which may have a significant clinical morbidity.