Secondary Causes Of Headache Research Articles

Prospective analysis of optic nerve diameter and NSE values in patients with refractory headaches

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the usability of ultrasonographic optic nerve diameter measurement and plasma neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels in detecting secondary causes of headaches in patients with refractory headaches in emergency department.
 Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in a university-based adult emergency department over 3 years. Sixty-six consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department with refractory headaches and 50 healthy volunteers for the control group were included. Information recorded included the duration of complaints, type and location of headache, symptoms, co-morbidities, results of imaging studies, optic nerve diameters, results of lactate, arterial blood gas and NSE levels.
 Results: A total of 66 patients were included, comprising 33 females. The mean age was 43.05 ± 17.06 years. Secondary causes of headache were identified in 45 patients (68.2%). Evaluation of ultrasonographic optic nerve diameter revealed that 17 (25.8%) right and 21 (31.8%) left optic nerve diameters were ≥5 mm. Optic nerve diameter values were significantly higher in patients diagnosed with secondary headache compared to those with primary headache, with no statistically significant difference observed in NSE values. Lactate levels in patients with secondary headaches were significantly higher than those in patients with primary headaches.
 Conclusion: In patients admitted to the emergency department with refractory headaches and normal imaging, ultrasonographic optic nerve diameter measurement may be preferred as an easily accessible method to guide the detection of secondary causes. NSE was not an effective in the early selection of patients with secondary headaches.

A case report: new-onset nummular headache after stenting of the middle cerebral artery

BackgroundNummular headache (NH) is categorized as a primary headache in the International Classification of Headache Disorders, Third edition (ICHD-3) diagnostic criteria, but there are secondary etiologies as well. We present a case of secondary NH that associated with vascular lesion.Case presentationWe report on a 40-year-old man with a medical history of symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis who developed a headache after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting because of Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis(ICAS). This new-onset headache was a pinprick headache confined to the parietal part of the head and 5 cm in size. This headache most closely resembled the phenotype of a NH. And other causes of secondary headache were excluded. Thus, the diagnosis of NH was highly speculated. This patient represents a rare headache phenomenon after intracranial arterial stent placement.ConclusionThis is the first report of NH after stent placement treatment in a patient with ICAS.

Migraine and pregnancy : Gender-specific aspects and current knowledge

Migraine, afrequent and debilitating neurological disease, shows gender-specific differences in prevalence and severity. Pregnancy is associated with numerous unique features in terms of migraine course, treatment options and differential diagnoses. How does pregnancy influence the course of migraine? What are the possible treatment options during pregnancy? Which differential diagnoses should be considered? Narrative review with summary and discussion of relevant studies and guidelines on migraine in pregnancy. During pregnancy up to three quarters of women experience improvement of their migraine; however, there may be arenewed increase in frequency after childbirth. Choosing an appropriate treatment during pregnancy requires acareful risk-benefit assessment. It is important to consider secondary causes of headache as these can occur more frequently during pregnancy and some can be life-threatening. Consideration of specific aspects of migraine in pregnancy is crucial to be able to develop the best possible treatment strategies for affected patients.

Post cerebral venous thrombosis headache – Prevalence, mechanisms and risk factors

IntroductionHeadache after cerebral venous thrombosis (post-CVT headache [PCH]) is a common complaint during follow-up. Risk factors and their pathophysiology are not well known. We studied PCH prevalence in CVT patients, its pathophysiology, and possible risk factors. Materials and MethodsWe performed a retrospective observational study of patients admitted to a tertiary hospital between 2006 and 2019 with CVT and at least one follow-up appointment. We diagnosed PCH when patients reported headaches during the follow-up visit. Recanalization was retrospectively assessed by two neuroradiologists using the first available follow-up MRI/ MRV, and the PRIORITy-CVT study classification. ResultsOf 131 patients, sixty (60/131, 45.8 %) reported PCH at the 3-month follow-up. Of these PCH, 9 had previous migraine (9/60, 5.0 %) and 13 previous tension-type headaches (13/60, 21.6 %), before CVT. Forty-four (44/60, 73.3 %) PCH patients had de novo headache: 21 (21/60, 35.0 %) de novo tension-type headaches; 6 (6/60, 10.0 %) de novo migraine; 6 [(6/60, 10.0 %) secondary headache disorders: 3 due to dural arteriovenous fistula, 2 due to intracranial hypertension, and 1 recurrent CVT], and 11 other headache types. Most patients had at least partial recanalization, with no difference in PCH frequency amongst recanalization subgroups (p = 0.598). Premorbid depression (p = 0.009, OR 7.9, 95 % CI 1.6–31.4) increased the odds ratio of PCH, while superior sagittal sinus thrombosis (p = 0.005, OR 0.15, 95 % CI 0.03–0.56) decreased it. DiscussionOur study shows that PCH is a common finding after CVT and elucidates potential risk factors. PCH is common in patients with previous or de novo primary headache. In PCH patients without previous headache, secondary causes of headache, namely related to CVT complications, should be excluded. PCH is also increased in patients with premorbid depression. There was no statistically significant difference in PCH amongst the PRIORITy-CVT recanalization subgroups, but most patients had at least partial recanalization.

Using Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA or Auricular Acupuncture) to Treat Primary Headaches in the Emergency Department.

Patients with headaches who present to the emergency department (ED) need prompt pain management. Headaches are a common complaint in the ED. Urgent evaluation is critical to assess for life-threatening headache causes. Once the causes of secondary headaches are ruled out, various pain control modalities for primary headaches can be used. This article and case will illustrate the treatment of primary headaches using battlefield acupuncture (BFA) as it is effective, minimally invasive, and has minimal undesired side effects or interactions. BFA will continue to work after the patient has left the ED. Average pain relief can be 4-7 days but varies depending on etiology. BFA presents an opportunity to minimize costly resource overutilization while still providing an option for quick, safe, and effective pain control. The article will also briefly mention some crucial headache assessments (detailed education on headache assessment should be done separately by the reader).

Secondary headaches in pregnancy and the puerperium.

Headache during pregnancy can be due to primary causes such as migraine but can also be a presenting symptom of secondary causes including life threatening conditions. This is a minireview of secondary causes of headache during pregnancy and the puerperium. Unique alterations in physiological and vascular functions as well as in the coagulation pathway which occur during pregnancy increase the risk of most of these secondary conditions which include preeclampsia, eclampsia, hemorrhagic stroke, cerebral venous, sinus thrombosis, reversible cerebral vascular syndrome, and posterior reversible encephalopathy. Marked increase in progesterone level in pregnancy is also associated with the growth of tumors such as meningiomas, as 70% of these tumors are positive for progesterone receptors and increase in size can lead to headache along with other neurological symptoms. Hemodynamic changes can lead to the growth of meningiomas as well. Although hormone producing pituitary tumors are usually not conducing to pregnancy, women with known pituitary tumors who do get pregnant may become symptomatic during pregnancy and develop secondary headache. Another rare cause of secondary headache during pregnancy is pituitary apoplexy. Although its occurrence is uncommon, it needs to be properly recognized and treated to avoid endocrine and visual complications. Other rare entities with increased incidence during the puerperium such postdural puncture headache will be also discussed. In summary, new onset headache during pregnancy deserves special attention because in the absence of proper recognition and treatment, secondary headache disorders can endanger the life of the mother and the fetus.

Multimodal Migraine Management and the Pursuit of Migraine Freedom: A Narrative Review.

Migraine is a neurologic disease with a complex pathophysiology that can be controlled with current treatment options but not cured. Therefore, treatment expectations are highly variable. The concept of migraine freedom was recently introduced and can mean different things, with some, for example, expecting complete freedom from headache and associated symptoms and others accepting the occasional migraine attack if it does not impact functioning. Therefore, migraine management should be optimized so that patients can have the best opportunity to achieve their optimal treatment goals. With migraine freedom as a goal and, given the complex pathophysiology of migraine and the high incidence of comorbidities among individuals with migraine, treatment with a single modality may be insufficient, as it may not achieve migraine freedom in those with more frequent or disabling attacks. In this clinical perspective article, we have identified four key, partially overlapping principles of multimodal migraine treatment: (1) manage common comorbidities; (2) control modifiable risk factors for progression by addressing medication and caffeine overuse; (3) diagnose and treat secondary causes of headache, if present; and (4) individualize acute and preventive treatments to minimize pain, functional disability, and allodynia. There are many barriers to pursuing migraine freedom, and strategies to overcome them should be optimized. Migraine freedom should be an aspirational goal both at the individual attack level and for the disease overall. We believe that a comprehensive and multimodal approach that addresses all barriers people with migraine face could move patients closer to migraine freedom.

Retrospective Observational Study Amidst Myriad Conundrums and Myths of Pediatric Headaches: A Critique on Diagnostics and Effectiveness of Interventions.

Objective To study the etiological profile of pediatric headaches (PH) in a tertiary child neurology clinic and to determine the utility of diagnostics, interventions, and long-term prognosis. Methods Children (ages 4-15) observed over four years were recruited retrospectively. In primary headaches, the headache frequency and impact on quality of life (QOL) parameters at pre-treatment (T1) were compared post-treatment at follow-up (T2). Results Of the 311 eligible patients, 285 had primary headaches (Tension-Type Headache {TTH}: 156; Migraine: 129), and 26 had secondary headaches. The mean (±SD) onset age was 10 (±3) years with a male-to-female ratio of 2.3:1. Migraine was more common in children aged less than seven years (17/28) and TTH in older patients (146/283). The most common causes of secondary headache were intracranial hypertension (ICH) in 11/26 patients (fouridiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), four following aseptic meningitis, three with cortical vein thrombosis), and ophthalmologic causes in 7/26 (of these five had convergence insufficiency). Hypertension was a rare cause of secondary headaches (2/26 patients). Neuroimaging was performed in 173/311 (56%), primarily for parental anxiety (160/173; 92%), and was abnormal in only four. At T2 (Median time to follow-up: 29 months; Interquartile range: 22-37 months), data were collected in 207/285 patients with primary headaches (TTH: 109; Migraine: 98). In both migraine and TTH groups, there were statistically significant reductions (p-value <0.0001) in headache frequency and QOL parameters. Conclusion In our study, TTH wasthe most common cause of PH. Neuroimaging was normal in most cases. Psychological interventions were effective but underutilized. The symptoms of primary headaches improved significantly over time, despite poor adherence to prophylactic medications.

A childhood secondary headache case associated with Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Neurological involvement is very rare in patients with a diagnosis of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH). During the course of the disease, headache can also be seen in addition to systemic effects. A 6 years old girl was admitted to the hospital with only a headache without any systemic symptoms and was diagnosed with LCH. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a solid mass extending from the sphenoid bone corpus to the left great wing of the sphenoid, left orbital apex, left posterior ethmoid cells, left cavernous sinus, and dural space. The correct decision for neuroimaging in patients with headaches is very important in terms of mortality and morbidity. We wanted to share our patient’s case who was diagnosed with LCH by presenting only with headache without any other systemic finding, to remind that LCH may be a secondary cause of headache.

Case Study: A Heart Transplant Recipient with New, Severe Headache (P3-12.011)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To describe a case and raise awareness of tick-borne disease as an important cause of secondary headache in transplant recipients. <h3>Background:</h3> Tick-borne illness is an uncommon but important cause of secondary headache, especially within the transplant population. Organ transplant recipients have a 2.3-fold relative risk of death and of severe, systemic infection. Identification of risk factors for tick-borne disease is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality in this patient population. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> Case Study <h3>Results:</h3> A middle-aged patient with history of a prior heart transplant was admitted with headache for four days. The pain was mild initially but soon worsened and was exacerbated by bright lights, coughing, and changes in head position. He had never experienced similar pain or migraine. Medications included daily sirolimus, tacrolimus, and prednisone. The patient lived in the rural Midwest. The patient was afebrile and other vital signs were stable. Exam was notable for positive Jolt accentuation and negative Kernig/Brudzinski signs and no noticeable rashes. He was oriented but was unable to spell the word “world” backwards. Otherwise, exam was normal. Lumbar puncture revealed clear CSF with 0 RBC/cumm, 0 Nucleated cells/cumm, Protein 57 mg/dL (H), Glucose 62 mg/dL (serum glucose 100 mg/dL). Bacterial/fungal cultures demonstrated no organisms on Cytospin gram staining. VZV, CMV, WNV, and HSV PCR analyses were sent. Other labs were significant for hyponatremia (132 mmol/L), leukopenia (1.9 K/cumm), microcytic anemia (Hgb 10.9 g/dL, MCV 74 fL), and thrombocytopenia (81 K/cumm). CT Head and MRI brain were normal. This patient’s CSF viral PCR studies returned negative. A qualitative blood PCR assay for <i>Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii</i>, and <i>E. canis</i> returned positive. The patient received doxycycline for a 10-day course with improvement. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Identification of tick-borne disease in patients with a history of chronic immune suppression is necessary to avoid complications related to this relatively uncommon cause of infection. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Anderson has nothing to disclose. Mary Petrulis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wu has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Progentec. Dr. Wu has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Biogen. Dr. Wu has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Journal of Neuroimmunology. Dr. Wu has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Department of Justice.

Headache and systemic lupus erythematosus: A narrative review

To review the epidemiology, the differential diagnosis, and the clinical and laboratory factors associated with the care management of headaches in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease and in 12%-95% of patients, the nervous system is involved. Headache is a frequently reported, although nonspecific, symptom that may potentially represent serious underlying diagnoses. Primary headaches may also occur in these patients, thereby causing a negative and significant impact on their quality of life. This is a narrative review. A literature review was conducted on the PubMed platform using the following terms: (1) headache and (2) lupus. All articles considered relevant were included. No limitations were imposed for the publication date. Headache is a frequent symptom in patients with SLE. Although its prevalence is similar to the general population, headaches nonetheless tend to have a greater negative impact on these patients. Patients with SLE are more likely to experience headache due to vascular diseases such as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, stroke, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and vasculitis. Aseptic meningitis, neuroinfections, intracranial neoplasms, and intracranial hypertension or hypotension may also be a cause of headache in these patients. Although used in disease activity scores, the concept of lupus headache is controversial. Headache is a frequent symptom in patients with SLE. An appropriate approach enables the potentially serious conditions, which are the causes of secondary headaches, to be recognized and treated, together with an appropriate diagnosis and treatment of primary headaches.

Clinical Profile of Children with Primary Headache at a Tertiary Care Center in North India: A Retrospective Study

Purpose: The present study investigated the clinical profile of children with primary headache at a tertiary care center in North India.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted between January 2021 and October 2022. In total, 100 children 5 to 18 years of age who attended the pediatric outpatient department or the emergency department with primary headache were included. Children with secondary causes of headache were excluded.Results: This study included 100 children (40 boys, 60 girls), and the female-to-male ratio was 1.5:1. The patients ranged in age from 5 to 18 years (mean±standard deviation, 10.1±2.8). Migraine headaches were most commonly reported (60%) followed by tension-type headache (28%) and others (12%). The throbbing type of pain was most common (43%), followed by the tightening type in 32%. The pain location was bilateral frontal in 47% of patients, followed by bitemporal in 20% and occipital in 17%. Most of the children (87%) had a headache duration of 2 to 4 hours. The common precipitating factors were skipped meals (25%), bright light (18%), lack of sleep (16%), and schoolwork (15%). A family history was present in around 62%. Around 70% of children required prophylactic medications (flunarizine and propranolol). Long screen time (2 to 4 hours/day) and a family history of headache were significantly associated with primary headache (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;&lt;0.05).Conclusion: The present study highlights that migraine is most common cause of primary headache in children, and every effort should be made for the early detection and management of headaches among children.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension: from cerebral venous thrombosis to neurosurgical treatment: a case series experience from a Brazilian tertiary health care center.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a secondary cause of headache and an underdiagnosed disease. The clinical presentation can be highly variable. It typically presents with isolated classic orthostatic headache complaints, but patients can develop significant complications such as cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). To report 3 cases of SIH diagnosis admitted and treated in a tertiary-level neurology ward. Review of the medical files of three patients and description of clinical and surgical outcomes. Three female patients with SIH with a mean age of 25.6 ± 10.0 years old. The patients had orthostatic headache, and one of them presented with somnolence and diplopia because of a CVT. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ranges from normal findings to classic findings of SIH as pachymeningeal enhancement and downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils. Spine MRI showed abnormal epidural fluid collections in all cases, and computed tomography (CT) myelography could determine an identifiable cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak in only one patient. One patient received a conservative approach, and the other two were submitted to open surgery with laminoplasty. Both of them had uneventful recovery and remission in surgery follow-up. The diagnosis and management of SIH are still a challenge in neurology practice. We highlight in the present study severe cases of incapacitating SIH, complication with CVT, and good outcomes with neurosurgical treatment.

Comorbidity or combination – more evidence for cluster-migraine?

While migraine and cluster headache share some clinical features and therapies, they differ considerably in the frequency and duration of the headache, as well as the inter-attack, or inter-bout, pathophysiology. Neither is fully understood, with their shared pathways being of interest. Five patients for whom it was difficult to distinguish migraine from cluster headache are presented. They had aspects of their phenotypes, which could be attributed to both disorders. Each patient was thoroughly examined, excluding secondary causes of headache, and had been treated with a number of medicines. A correct diagnosis is key to the appropriate treatment approach. Especially, if treatment is not successful for the suspected headache type, and enlargement of the diagnostic and therapeutic range, respectively, should be evaluated. Whether in such settings there is shared or different pathophysiology can only be speculated upon.

Case report: Primary stabbing headache treated with melatonin in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome

Background: Primary stabbing headache (PSH) is a rare primary headache presenting with short, stabbing pain sensations of unknown etiology. Owed to the rare prevalence of the disease, only limited data exists on possible treatment options. The most cumulative expertise exists for indomethacin as a potential treatment in PSH. However, known side effects and long-term tolerability issues have urged the FDA to restrict the use of indomethacin as long-term medication. In about 35% of the cases indomethacin does not provide sufficient relieve, demanding for efficacious and well tolerable alternatives. Case: Herewith we report a case of a young female adult presenting with PSH treated with melatonin resulting in an outstanding and long-lasting response. The patient has a rare underlying genetic disorder leading to facial dysmorphia, which according to the scarce literature, is not associated with PSH so far, but requires extensive exclusion of secondary causes of headaches. Conclusion: Given the exceptional tolerability of melatonin with low concern even on a long-term use, we discuss an indomethacin trial in PSH might be a diagnostic approach rather than a therapeutic one in the future.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension syndrome presented with sixth cranial nerve palsy: a case report

Introduction Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a secondary cause of headache often misdiagnosed and underdiagnosed disorder. The main presentation is orthostatic headache. An uncommon symptom is cranial nerve palsy. We described a case of SIH that presented to our service with sixth cranial nerve palsy. Case Report Female, 39 years old, no relevant medical past or history of trauma, awoke due intense holocranial headache, associated with vomiting and photophobia, worsening in orthostasis. In the general emergency department, she was release with prescription of analgesics and topiramate, without resolution. After a week, the patient reported diplopia and was referred to our service, a tertiary center. In admission, she kept an intense orthostatic headache and in neurologic examination she presented right sixth nerve palsy, no other deficits. Laboratorial tests were normal, including metabolic and infectious marks. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure was low (50 mmH2O) and analysis showed elevated protein levels (158mg/dl). MRI showed diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement and venous sinus distension, mainly in superior sagittal venous sinus. CT myelogram detected a spinal CSF leak in transition C1-C2. Initially, performed hydration and bed rest, while patient with partial improvement of headache. An epidural blood patch was then performed using 15ml of autologous blood with compatible contrast and lidocaine. There was complete resolution of pain after the procedure and four weeks later complete resolution of right sixth nerve palsy. Discussion According to International Classification of Headaches Disorders, third edition (ICHD-3), the headache attributed to SIH is descripted as a headache has developed in temporal relation to low CSF pressure (&lt;60mm H2O) and/or evidence of CSF leakage on imaging. (To see the complete abstract, please, check out the PDF).

Patterns of MRI Findings in Patients with Chronic Headache: A Retrospective Study from a Private Diagnostic Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Headache is one of the most common complaints that lead the patient to seek medical advice however only a few patients with recurrent headaches have a secondary cause like intracranial mass. The appropriate utilization of neuroimaging is important to rule-out secondary cause of headache in resource-limited regions. The objective of this study is to describe the patterns of MRI findings in the evaluation of patients with chronic headache and to determine the clinical variables helpful in identifying patients with intracranial lesions. This cross sectional study was conducted among 590 selected patients who underwent an MRI scan of the head from September 2016 to January 2018 at Wudassie Diagnostic center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Siemens Magnetom 0.35T MRI was used. Out of 590 patients, 372 (63.1%) were females and 218 (36.9%) were males; 300 (50.8%) patients with the mean age of 38.6 ± 0.5 years and a median of 37 ± 16.7years have normal brain MRI and 290(49.2%) have abnormal brain MRI reports. The abnormal findings further divided into non-significant findings were 166(28%) that did not alter patient management and clinically significant findings were 124 (21%) which included by decreasing order of frequency tumors, infection, hydrocephalus, hemorrhage, and vascular abnormalities. It was 1.3 times higher rate of positive brain MR findings in patients who had headaches plus abnormal neurologic findings as compared to patients without neurologic abnormality (P-value = 0.01). There is a high rate of significant abnormal MRI findings in this study as compared to studies from developed nations.

P01.21.A Testing Semantic Verbal Fluency (SVFT) in patients with headache suspicious of cancer helps predict those with tumour on imaging

Abstract Background Differentiating secondary headache from primary headache on history alone can sometimes be difficult. Headache “plus” other subtle cognitive features improves prediction. Patients and relatives may attribute subtle cognitive or behavioural changes to other causes (e.g. anxiety, low mood). Sematic verbal fluency - “how many animals can you think of in a minute” is commonly impaired on admission in patients with headache harbouring a tumour. We were interested whether SVFT at point of referral for scan would help predict a tumour and requested GPs report the SVFT on electronic referral for direct access scanning in cases with a history of headache suspicious of cancer. The aim of the pilot study was to establish if the SVFT was a “red flag” for secondary causes of headache. We report the results of a 20-month audit of cases. Material and Methods An electronic Protocol Based Referral (PBR) was developed for Headache Suspicious of Cancer to expedite scanning. The PBR sat alongside the routine e-DACI system that had been in use for some years. The GP was asked to complete the SVFT at the time of referral for scanning. Other data were gathered: PMH cancer; other symptoms/signs; co-morbid conditions and medications. Results GPs submitted requests for ePBR scanning in 669 cases over 20 months (62% females; Mean age 53: 60% &amp;lt;60 years). SVFT was completed on the request form in 381 (57%) cases. In these cases median SVFT was 17 animals. 11/381 cases were found to have cancer on scanning (2.9%): 10/188 cases with intracranial tumours had a SVFT &amp;lt;17 (5.32%) compared with one with a SVFT &amp;gt;=17. The median SVFT in cases with cancer was 10 animals. Other possible causes of SVFT &amp;lt;17 were - 53 psychiatric or chronic pain conditions on multiple drugs;12 were not native English speakers; 19 had co-existing dementia; 5 had small vessel disease; 4 cysts; 4 Giant Cell Arteritis ; 2 Chiari 1 malformation; PMH - encephalitis (1). Conclusion A SVFT result &amp;lt;17, at the point of referral for brain imaging, in patients with headache suspicious of cancer was associated with intracranial cancer in more than 1:20 cases, whereas a SVFT of &amp;gt;=17 was associated with cancer in 1:200 cases. SVFT may be an additional useful “red flag”. The most appropriate SVFT cut-off requires more research in a larger study. Low SVFT in headache patients may inform Cancer Referral Guidelines, improve the identification of secondary headache and help expedite cases.

T2-Sampling Perfection With Application-Optimized Contrasts by Using Flip Angle Evolution (SPACE) Protocol MRI: A Safe, Minimally Invasive Screening Tool for Spinal CSF Leak Causing Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) due to a spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is secondary cause of headache with potentially devastating consequences. Its diagnosis is complicated owing to the lack of a reasonable, minimally invasive screening test. This results in many patients remaining undiagnosed for years after the headache onset. Current testing approaches are either overly invasive, namely the CSF infusion protocol or both invasive and insensitive viz. lumbar puncture (LP) with an opening pressure (OP) or computed tomography myelogram (CTM). These diagnostic methods are frequently employed in a clinical setting since they require access to the thecal space; they unfortunately have a dearth of sensitivity. CTM will not document a leak if it is intermittent or very slow and in the setting of a spinal CSF leak, the OP on LP may be high, low, or normal. A potential remedy for this state is the T2-sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts by using flip angle evolution (SPACE) protocol spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We present two cases that demonstrate its potential value as a screening tool. It is well known for its high sensitivity for identifying spinal pathology and is minimally invasive, making it a good choice for a screening modality when diagnosing possible SIH cases.

MONKEYPOX AND HEADACHE: LITTLE MENTIONED CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF THE CURRENT INFECTIOUS DISEASE PROBLEM

Monkeypox and headache: little mentioned clinical presentation of the current infectious disease problem Dear Editor, the most well-known human pox infections are pox, smallpox, and chickenpox. In addition to the well-known pox infections, zoonotic pox infections have emerged as an interesting, current issue in infectious medicine (1). Monkeypox has spread over Europe, posing a serious public health threat (2). Monkeypox is an uncommon pox infection that has resurfaced, and the cause is considered to be zoonosis (1). Monkeypox has spread throughout Europe, creating a significant public health risk (2). A monkeypox is a rare form of atypical pox that has returned, probably as a result of zoonosis. Human-to-human transmission is thought to be possible. The medical community has been alerted by an increasing number of reported cases in several countries. Headaches can manifest in a variety of ways. In clinical practice, it is necessary to look for dangerous or secondary causes of headaches. Headache is a rarely discussed clinical condition, yet it could be present in any new infectious disease problem. The number of new cases in the current major clusters in Europe and America rapidly increases in 2022, raising fears of a widespread outbreak. Monkeypox is a febrile sickness that causes a rash on the skin. The diagnosis is usually made by looking at the patient’s skin rash. To the best of our knowledge, no previous research has been done on monkeypox patients’ headache symptoms. According to a study of cases during an outbreak in the US in 2003, the headache was among the presenting symptoms in 9 of 34 patients. Still, these patients weren’t coming in with just isolated headaches (3). They had “rash, fever, adenopathy, chills and headache” (3). Hence, many symptoms and signs would alert a clinician that the headache in these cases is most likely secondary in etiology. A febrile, cutaneous lesion, and other clinical symptoms might occur more often than reported. One of the first clinical symptoms that appear could be a headache. As a result, it is critical in modern clinical practice to be prepared for suspected monkeypox because a large-scale outbreak is possible.