The thermographically observed effects of hyperoxia on vascular headache patients and non-headache individuals.

Abstract

SYNOPSISThis study utilizes electronic thermography to investigate the response of 30 headache patients (migraine and mixed) and 20 non‐headache individuals to inhaling 100% oxygen at 10 liters per minute for 5 minutes. Observations were made prior to, immediately following, and at 3, 6 and 10 minutes post‐inhalation.Thermograms were inspected to determine the influence of hyperoxia on facial pattern temperatures across time. Chi‐square analysis determined that there was a significant difference (P<.01) in response between the control group and headache patients immediately following inhalation. While the temperature of each control subject decreased, 14 (46.67%) patients displayed a 0.5 to 1.0°C paradoxical rise. There was no significant difference in response between the types of headache. Statistically significant difference in response continued during the post‐inhalation phase; at 10 minutes, 6 (20.00%) patients continued to display temperatures above baseline, The response to hyperoxia did not differ if the patient was experiencing a headache, nor did oxygen significantly reduce pain. No difference in response was noted in those patients who were prescribed beta or calcium channel block‐ere. Hyperoxia increased migraine “cold patch” size. Regardless of temperature fluctuations, facial patterns remained stable across conditions. A blind calling of pre‐ and post‐inhalation thermograms was 93% accurate.The response of the medial canthi did not significantly differ between conditions. Hyperoxia generally increased size, temperature and symmetry. During the post‐inhalation phase original patterns generally returned.This study supports previous headache/thermography findings and points to vascular dissimilarities between headache and non‐headache individuals.