Frontal Migraine Research Articles

Outcome Comparison of Endoscopic and Transpalpebral Decompression for Treatment of Frontal Migraine Headaches

This study was designed to compare the efficacy of the transpalpebral versus endoscopic approach to decompression of the supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves in patients with frontal migraine headaches. The medical charts of 253 patients who underwent surgery for frontal migraine headaches were reviewed. These patients underwent either transpalpebral nerve decompression (n = 62) or endoscopic nerve decompression (n = 191). Preoperative and 12-month or greater postoperative migraine frequency, duration, and intensity were analyzed to determine the success of the surgeries. Forty-nine of 62 patients (79 percent) in the transpalpebral nerve decompression group and 170 of 191 patients (89 percent) who underwent endoscopic nerve decompression experienced a successful outcome (at least a 50 percent decrease in migraine frequency, duration, or intensity) after 1 year from surgery. Endoscopic nerve decompression had a significantly higher success rate than transpalpebral nerve decompression (p < 0.05). Thirty-two patients (52 percent) in the transpalpebral nerve decompression group and 128 patients (67 percent) who underwent endoscopic nerve decompression observed elimination of migraine headaches. The elimination rate was significantly higher in the endoscopic nerve decompression group than in the transpalpebral nerve decompression group (p < 0.03). Endoscopic nerve decompression was found to be more successful at reducing or eliminating frontal migraine headaches than transpalpebral nerve decompression and should be selected as the first choice whenever it is anatomically feasible. Therapeutic, III.

Clinical Outcomes following Supraorbital Foraminotomy for Treatment of Frontal Migraine Headache

Although 92 percent of patients who undergo surgical decompression of the supraorbital nerve for treatment of frontal migraine headaches through resection of the glabellar muscle group achieve at least 50 percent improvement, only two-thirds demonstrate complete resolution of symptoms. The authors investigated the role of additional decompression methods by comparing surgery outcomes between patients who underwent glabellar myectomy alone and patients who also underwent supraorbital foraminotomy. Outcome measures including migraine headache frequency, severity, and duration; Migraine Headache Index score; and forehead pain were reviewed retrospectively and analyzed statistically for 43 age-matched control patients who underwent glabellar myectomy for release of the supraorbital nerve and 43 patients who underwent glabellar myectomy with supraorbital foraminotomy from 2002 to 2010. The myectomy group statistically matched the myectomy with foraminotomy group for age, number of surgical sites, and preoperative headache characteristics (p > 0.05). For the myectomy and myectomy with foraminotomy groups, postoperative migraine frequency was 7.8 per month versus 4.1 per month, severity was 5.6 versus 4.4, Migraine Headache Index score was 26.5 versus 11.1, and persistent forehead pain was 48.8 percent versus 25.6 percent, respectively. These differences were all statistically significant (p < 0.05). Duration of headache was unchanged (p = 0.17). The supraorbital foramen is a potential site of supraorbital nerve compression that can trigger frontal migraine headache. If it is present, the authors strongly recommend foraminotomy to ensure complete release of the supraorbital nerve to optimize outcomes. Their results also support consideration of release of any fibrous bands across the supraorbital notch. Therapeutic, III.

Características clínicas y evolución de los pacientes con cefalea migrañosa seguidos en la Unidad de Cefaleas de un hospital pediátrico de referencia

To analyse the clinical characteristics and course of migraine patients who were attended in the Headache Unit of a paediatric referral hospital. We conducted a retrospective observational study of children monitored in the Headache Unit of the Neurology Service who satisfied the International Headache Society diagnostic criteria for migraine, with a follow-up lasting more then six months. The following were excluded from the study: patients who failed to comply with the treatment or clinical monitoring, or whose medical data were incomplete. There was a predominance of patients aged between 7 and 12 years, with no differences as regards sex. Bilateral and frontal migraine without aura predominated (74%), with episodes lasting between 3 and 12 hours, and the throbbing type accounted for 45% of cases. The most common accompanying symptoms were photophobia (86%) and phonophobia (88%). Except for the second visit, the tendency of the group without prophylactic treatment was favourable. When prophylactic treatment was indicated, a favourable response was observed (p < 0.05), and no significant differences were found as regards the type of medication employed. A total of 73% of the patients were discharged, and most of them required three visits; 30% of the patients treated reported some kind of side effects. Migraine at the paediatric age is characterised by short but intense episodes of headache that are mostly located in the frontal area. Progress is satisfactory without pharmacological measures in a high percentage of patients. When prophylactic medication was required (due to the patient's presenting frequent episodes of migraine with high scores on the PedMIDAS rating scale), a favourable response was obtained (p < 0.05), with some side effects.