Transient stabbing headache from an acute thalamic hemorrhage

Abstract

Stabbing headache can be encountered in both primary and secondary forms, but has been infrequently reported among patients with stroke, and is not known to be associated with a small well-circumscribed brain lesion. A 95-year-old woman taking warfarin presented with the sudden onset of stabbing headache strictly in the right frontal and supraorbital regions, along with gait imbalance and dysarthria. Neuroimaging revealed a small left thalamic hematoma. This association of an acute thalamic lesion with stabbing headache in the contralateral trigeminal distribution is discussed, along with a brief review of stabbing headache occurring in cerebrovascular disease.

Characteristics of Primary Stabbing Headache in a Tertiary Neurological Clinic in China

“…As with previous reports, our study showed that PSH is predominant in the female population with a typical onset at middle age [2–4]. The mean age of onset was 44.1 ± 15.5 years, similar with Fuh et al.…”

Primary stabbing headache in children and adolescents

“…cough headaches, nummular headaches, cold stimulus headaches, or headaches associated with sexual activities) are unlikely to account for the pathogenesis of the stabs among our patients as they were not precipitated or triggered by cough, cold, sex, posture, or other manoeuvres. Transient stabbing headache has been reported among patients with underlying sinister causes . In our cohort, patients were typically developing individuals with typical neurological examination and their brain imaging showed no intracranial abnormalities.…”

“…The decision regarding whether or not to perform brain imaging in PSH is a dilemma. A review of the literature reveals that organic causes such as brain tumour may present with new‐onset stabbing headaches . The ICHD‐3 beta undoubtedly suggests stabs that are strictly localized to one region of the cranium may indicate underlying organic causes that must be excluded .…”

Stabbing Headache in an 8-Year-Old Girl: Primary or Drug Induced Headache?

“…Stabbing headaches in adult patients have been described as a manifestation of meningiomas, pituitary tumors, and cerebrovascular disorders. [3][4][5] A single case of herpes zoster meningoencephalities and stabbing headache as its initial symptom has also been reported in the literature. 6 A neurologic examination of our patient revealed nothing abnormal, and neuroimaging did not reveal any pathology of the central nervous system.…”