Characteristics and Treatment of Headache After Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Headache is one of the most common complaints in patients with traumatic brain injury. By definition, headache that develops within 1 wk after head trauma (or within 1 wk after regaining consciousness) is referred to as posttraumatic headache (PTH). Although most PTH resolves within 6-12 mos after injury, approximately 18-33% of PTH persists beyond 1 yr. We performed a systematic literature review on this topic and found that many patients with PTH had clinical presentations very similar to tension-type headache (37% of all PTH) and migraine (29% of all PTH). Although there is no universally accepted protocol for treating PTH, many clinicians treat PTH as if they were managing primary headache. As a result of the heterogeneity in the terminology and paucity in prospective, well-controlled studies in this field, there is a definite need for conducting double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment trials in patients with PTH.

Neuropsychology and clinical neuroscience of persistent post-concussive syndrome

“…Post-traumatic pain correlates with presence of PPCS (Sheedy et al, 2006); and pain has its own set of correlates, by itself, potentially affecting cognitive performance and emotional status (Alfano, 2006;Karp et al, 2006). None of this even addresses the complexity of WAD, as already mentioned, and WAD pain-related problems (Holm et al, 2006;Johansson, 2006;Zumsteg et al, 2006), nor post-traumatic headaches (Lew et al, 2006;Weiss et al, 1991) which are commonplace in concussion, especially those caused by MVAs. Not only is the brain concussed, but also other organs such as the eye, inner ear, and soft internal organs (Frater & Haindl, 2003;Keane & Baloh, 1992;Nolle et al, 2004); and injury to these organs can be a source of symptoms.…”

Military and VA telemedicine systems for patients with traumatic brain injury

“…These were followed by pain in the knees (34%), eyes (32%), shoulders (24%), and feet (11%). While headache is a common symptom after TBI [9], additional effort is needed to further characterize the nature of reported headaches, including their correlation with patients' cognitive and emotional symptoms. Regarding pain in the back, knees, shoulders, and feet, none of the 62 patients has so far demonstrated indications leading to recommendations for surgical intervention.…”

Cefaleia pós-traumática crônica: relato de caso

“…Estudos sugerem que cefaleia é um sintoma presente na fase aguda do trauma em mais de 50% dos pacientes e após um a dois anos em aproximadamente 20% destes 1,2 . Por definição, a cefaleia que se desenvolve em uma semana após um trauma craniano é referida como cefaleia pós-traumática, porém, há propostas de que esse tempo deva ser aumentado.…”

“…Por definição, a cefaleia que se desenvolve em uma semana após um trauma craniano é referida como cefaleia pós-traumática, porém, há propostas de que esse tempo deva ser aumentado. Quando persiste por mais de três meses é chamada cefaleia pós--traumática crônica 1,2 . Vários padrões de dor podem se seguir a um trauma cefálico, inclusive simulando cefaleias primárias.…”