Headache after evaluation with transcranial magnetic stimulation in a healthy participant. Case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adverse effects during noninvasive stimulation of the brain are rare events. The objective of this study is to present a patient´s case with an intense headache with autonomic signs after single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation. CASE REPORT: A 28-year old female patient, volunteered to participate in a study on the evaluation of motor cortical excitability after the injection of lidocaine in the first dorsal interosseous muscle. The resting motor threshold was estimated at four moments: before the procedure, immediately after the procedure, 30 minutes, and one hour after the procedure. At the end of the experiment, 240 pulses were performed. The participant reported mild-intensity headache that rapidly progressed to severe, left hemicranial headache, the same region where the transcranial magnetic stimulation pulses were applied. In association with the pain, she had nausea, vomiting, photophobia, conjunctival hyperemia, lacrimation, and ipsilateral eyelid edema, requiring emergency care. CONCLUSION: It is possible that supraliminal intensities (>100% of resting motor threshold) in single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation may predispose to adverse effects. Other factors such as skull anatomy, electrical impedance, age, gender, cognitive and affective status, use of medications, hormone levels, the concentration of neurotransmitters and receptor expression, genetic factors and the circadian cycle may also be involved. There are no well-established safety models to guide assessment Headache after evaluation with transcranial magnetic stimulation in a healthy participant. Case report Cefaleia após avaliação com estimulação magnética transcraniana em participante saudável. Relato de caso