Persistent Headache Research Articles

Intracranial Hypertension as a rare presentation of Sjögren's Syndrome: a case report

Introduction. A rare extraglandular manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome is presented, mimicking idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Case Report. A young eutrophic female, complained of persistent headache, followed by diplopia and bilateral sixth nerve paresis. Neuroimaging investigation showed classic signs of intracranial hypertension. As the patient had a normal weight, prompted evaluation of secondary causes, which revealed positive anti-SSA/Ro and anti-La/SSB antibodies. A salivary gland biopsy later confirmed the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome. Xerostomia and dysphagia developed weeks later. Conclusion. This case report is important to raise awareness about an atypical neurological manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome.

Guidelines of the International Headache Society for controlled trials of pharmacological preventive treatment for persistent post-traumatic headache attributed to mild traumatic brain injury.

Persistent headache attributed to traumatic injury to the head is divided into two subtypes, one attributed to moderate or severe traumatic injury and another attributed to mild traumatic injury (i.e., concussion). The latter is much more prevalent, in part because more than 90% of cases with traumatic brain injury are classified as mild. The pathophysiology of persistent post-traumatic headache is poorly understood and the underlying mechanisms are likely multifactorial. There is currently no approved treatment specifically for persistent post-traumatic headache, and management strategies rely on medications used for migraine or tension-type headache. Therefore, high-quality trials are urgently needed to support clinical decision-making and optimize management strategies. International guidelines can facilitate appropriate trial design and ensure the acquisition of high-quality data evaluating the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of available and novel pharmacological therapies for the preventive treatment of persistent post-traumatic headache. The development of this guideline was based on a literature review of available studies in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, along with a review of previously published guidelines for controlled trials of preventive treatment for episodic and chronic migraine. The identified literature was critically appraised, and due to the scarcity of scientific evidence, recommendations were primarily based on the consensus of experts in the field. To provide guidelines for designing state-of-the-art controlled clinical trials aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of preventive treatments for persistent post-traumatic headache attributed to mild traumatic brain injury.

Technical considerations and long-term results of endovascular venous stenting to control venous hypertension from meningiomas invading intracranial venous sinuses.

Meningiomas invading the intracranial venous sinuses may cause intracranial venous hypertension, papilledema, and visual compromise. Sinus resection and graft reconstructions, however, add significant complexity to tumor surgery, with the potential for increased morbidity. In this study, the authors explored whether venous sinus stenting might provide an alternative means of controlling venous hypertension that would be sustainable over the long term. The authors performed a retrospective review of all 16 patients with intracranial meningiomas who underwent stenting at their institution for venous sinus compromise. At presentation, all had headache and 9 had papilledema. Thirteen patients had 1 meningioma and 3 had 2 or more. Three patients had had previous tumor resection and radiotherapy. One patient had been treated with a lumboperitoneal shunt and radiotherapy. The median length of clinical follow-up was 8 years (range 4 months-18 years). Venous sinus narrowing was often not confined to the site of meningioma, and bilateral transverse sinus narrowing, reminiscent of that seen in idiopathic intracranial hypertension, was present in 7 patients with sagittal sinus meningiomas. Eleven patients had stents placed solely across sinus narrowing caused by meningioma. Five patients had additional stents placed at other sites of venous narrowing at the same time: in one of these patients, a stent was placed across a defect in the sagittal sinus caused by previous surgery, and in the 4 other patients, stents were placed across nontumor narrowings of the transverse sinuses. In 1 patient, the jugular vein was also stented. Nine patients developed symptomatic in-stent restenosis at the meningioma site. Eight had further stenting procedures with variable success in restoring the in-stent lumen. The remaining patient, with a late partial relapse, is being reinvestigated. Papilledema resolved in all patients after stenting. Six patients experienced prolonged and very substantial relief of all symptoms. Five patients had persistent headache despite restoration of the sinus lumen. Five had persistent symptoms associated with resistant in-stent stenosis. There were no significant complications from any of the diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. In patients who are symptomatic with meningiomas obstructing the venous sinuses, successful stenting of the affected segment can give a good outcome, especially in terms of relieving papilledema. However, further procedures are often necessary to maintain stent patency, other areas of venous compromise frequently coexist, and some patients remain symptomatic despite apparently successful treatment of the index lesion. Long-term surveillance is a requirement.

Altered functional connectivity of brainstem nuclei in new daily persistent headache: Evidence from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.

The new daily persistent headache (NDPH) is a rare primary headache disorder. However, the underlying mechanisms of NDPH remain incompletely understood. This study aims to apply seed-based analysis to explore the functional connectivity (FC) of brainstem nuclei in patients with NDPH using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The FC analysis from the region of interest (ROI) to whole brain voxels was used to investigate 29 patients with NDPH and 37 well-matched healthy controls (HCs) with 3.0 Tesla MRI. The 76 nuclei in the brainstem atlas were defined as ROIs. Furthermore, we explored the correlations between FC and patients' clinical characteristics and neuropsychological evaluations. Patients with NDPH exhibited reduced FC in multiple brainstem nuclei compared to HCs (including right inferior medullary reticular formation, right mesencephalic reticular formation, bilateral locus coeruleus, bilateral laterodorsal tegmental nucleus-central gray of the rhombencephalon, median raphe, left medial parabrachial nucleus, periaqueductal gray, and bilateral ventral tegmental area-parabrachial pigmented nucleus complex) and increased FC in periaqueductal gray. No significant correlations were found between the FC of these brain regions and clinical characteristics or neuropsychological evaluations after Bonferroni correction (p > 0.00016). Our results demonstrated that patients with NDPH have abnormal FC of brainstem nuclei involved in the perception and regulation of pain and emotions.

Headaches and facial pain attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination: a systematic review.

The aim was to provide insights to the characteristics of headache in the context of COVID-19 on behalf of the Headache Scientific Panel and the Neuro-COVID-19 Task Force of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) and the European Headache Federation (EHF). Following the Delphi method the Task Force identified six relevant questions and then conducted a systematic literature review to provide evidence-based answers and suggest specific diagnostic criteria. No data for facial pain were identified in the literature search. (1) Headache incidence during acute COVID-19 varies considerably, with higher prevalence rates in prospective compared to retrospective studies (28.9%-74.6% vs. 6.5%-34.0%). (2) Acute COVID-19 headache is usually bilateral or holocranial and often moderate to severe with throbbing pain quality lasting 2-14 days after first signs of COVID-19; photo-phonophobia, nausea, anosmia and ageusia are common associated features; persistent headache shares similar clinical characteristics. (3) Acute COVID-19 headache is presumably caused by immune-mediated mechanisms that activate the trigeminovascular system. (4) Headache occurs in 13.3%-76.9% following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and occurs more often amongst women with a pre-existing primary headache; the risk of developing headache is higher with the adenoviral-vector-type vaccines than with other preparations. (5) Headache related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is mostly bilateral, and throbbing, pressing, jolting or stabbing. (6) No studies have been conducted investigating the underlying mechanism of headache attributed to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. The results of this joint EAN/EHF initiative provide a framework for a better understanding of headache in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination.

Reducing the incidence of persistent headache attributed to retrosigmoid craniotomy: the role of 3D computed tomography venography image-guided technique and bone defects minimization

Objective The objective of this paper was to assess the risk factors for persistent headache attributed to retrosigmoid craniotomy. Furthermore, we evaluated the role of the 3D computed tomography venography(CTV) image-guided technique in reducing the incidence of persistent headache. Method The study encompassed patients with trigeminal neuralgia who underwent microvascular decompression. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the use of 3D CTV in surgical planning. Factors related to craniotomy and postoperative complications were analyzed between the two groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify risk factors for persistent headache attributed to craniotomy. Result The inclusion criteria yielded 48 patients who underwent craniotomy with 3D CTV image guidance (the image-guided group) and 69 patients who did not use this technique (the control group). The image-guided group experienced significantly shorter craniotomy durations (27.9 ± 4.7 vs. 37.5 ± 8.0 min; p < 0.001), smaller craniotomy areas (472.7 ± 56.7 vs. 617.4 ± 89.7 mm2; p < 0.001), and reduced bone defects (141.8 ± 33.5 vs. 233.2 ± 71.1 mm2; p < 0.001). Bone defect (OR: 1.012; 95% CI: 1.005-1.018; p < 0.001) was found to be significantly associated with persistent headache in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions Bone defects constitute an independent risk factor for persistent headache attributed to retrosigmoid craniotomy. The 3D CTV image-guided technique effectively reduces the size of bone defects, thereby leading to a reduced incidence of persistent headache postoperatively.

Pediatric Lyme Disease in Northern Italy: An 18-Year Single-Center Case Series.

Tracing the profile of pediatric Lyme borreliosis (LB) in Europe is difficult due to the interregional variation in its incidence and lack in notifications. Moreover, the identification of LB can be challenging. This study is an 18-year case series of 130 children and adolescents aged under 18 years referred to the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit at L. Sacco Hospital, Milan, with suspicion of LB, between January 2005 and July 2023. The routine serological workup consisted of a two-step process: an initial screening test followed by Western blot (WB). Forty-four (34%) patients were diagnosed with LB. The median age was six years, and 45% were females. Of the children with erythema migrans (EM), 33 (57%) were confirmed as having true EM, and, of these, 4 (12%) were atypical. Ten (23%) patients had early disseminated/late diseases, including facial nerve palsy (n = 3), early neuroborreliosis (n = 1), arthritis (n = 3), relapsing fever (n = 2), and borrelial lymphocytoma (n = 1). No asymptomatic infections were documented. Over seventy percent of confirmed LB cases (n = 31/44) recalled a history of tick bites; in this latter group, 19 (61%) were from the area of the Po River valley in Lombardy. Almost half of the children evaluated for LB complained of non-specific symptoms (fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, skin lesions/rash, and persistent headache), but these symptoms were observed in only two patients with confirmed LB. Most LB cases in our study were associated with EM; two-tier testing specificity was high, but we found frequent non-adherence to international recommendations with regard to the timing of serology, application of the two-step algorithm, and antibiotic over-prescription. Most children were initially assessed for a tick bite or a skin lesion suggestive of EM by a family pediatrician, highlighting the importance of improving awareness and knowledge around LB management at the primary healthcare level. Finally, the strengthening of LB surveillance at the national and European levels is necessary.

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Following Lumbar Puncture.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare and potentially fatal condition. It is believed to be one of the rare complications of lumbar puncture (LP), however other causes and risk factors should be considered and ruled out. Diagnosis can be challenging after an LP as it can mimic low pressure or post dural puncture. We present a 23-year-old patient diagnosed with CVST following a diagnostic lumbar puncture, in the absence of other risk factors. The patient presented with a persistent headache that was initially attributed to low CSF pressure, as well as a transient episode of right hemi-body paresthesia. Neuroimaging including contrasted MRI with venography confirmed the diagnosis. The patient had negative hypercoagulable evaluation and was placed on anticoagulation on discharge. Our report highlights the importance of considering CVST in refractory headaches after LP and the value of neuroimaging when indicated.

Individualized spectral filters alleviate persistent photophobia, headaches and migraines in active duty military and Veterans following brain trauma

ABSTRACT Purpose Consistent with association between photophobia and headache, growing evidence suggests an underlying causal relationship between light sensitivity and central pain. We investigated whether an intervention to regulate light sensitivity by filtering only wavelengths causing difficulties for the specific individual could alleviate headaches/migraines resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods Secondary data analysis of a clinical database including N = 392 military personnel (97% men, 3% women), ranging in age from 20 to 51 years, diagnosed with TBI, persistent headaches/migraines, and light sensitivity. The average elapsed time from TBI diagnosis to intervention was 3 years. Headache/migraine severity, frequency, medication use, and difficulties related to daily functioning were assessed pre and 4–12 weeks post-intervention with individualized spectral filters. Results Monthly migraine frequency decreased significantly from an average of 14.8 to 1.9, with 74% reporting no migraines post-intervention. Prescription and over-the-counter medication use decreased by more than 70%. Individuals also reported significant improvement in light sensitivity, headaches/migraine severity, and physical and perceptual symptoms. Conclusions Wearing individualized spectral filters was associated with symptom relief, increased subjective quality of reported health and well-being, and decreased objective medication use for TBI-related persistent headaches/migraines. These results support a suggested relationship between dysregulated light sensitivity and central regulation of pain.

Prevalence of Persistent Post-traumatic Headache Remains Significantly High

Prevalence of Persistent Post-traumatic Headache Remains Significantly High

Sleep and memory complaints in long COVID: an insight into clustered psychological phenotypes.

This study evaluated clinical features of individuals with long COVID (5-8 months after diagnosis) who reported sleep and memory problems (62 cases) compared to those without (52 controls). Both groups had a similar mean age (41 vs. 39 years). Around 86% of the participants were non-hospitalized at the time of infection, and none of them were vaccinated at that point. Subsequently, both cases and controls received the vaccine; however, the vaccination rates differed significantly between the groups (30.7% vs. 51.0%). Cases and controls had similar rates of symptoms at acute COVID phase. However, cases were more likely to experience coryza, dyspnea, headache, and nausea/vomiting during long COVID. Regarding new-onset symptoms in long COVID, 12.9% of cases had dyspnea, and 14.5% experienced nausea/vomiting, whereas in the control group there were only 1.9% and 0.0%, respectively. Cases also had a significantly higher prevalence of persistent headache (22.6% vs. 7.7%), and dyspnea (12.9% vs. 0.0). In addition, cases also showed an increased rate of mental health complaints: disability in daily activities (45.2% vs. 9.6%; P<0.001); concentration/sustained attention difficulties (74.2% vs. 9.6%; P<0.001); anxiety-Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item scale (GAD-2) ≥ 3 (66.1% vs. 34.6%; P=0.0013); and "post-COVID sadness" (82.3% vs. 40.4%; P<0.001). We observed a significant correlation between sadness and anxiety in cases, which was not observed in controls (P=0.0212; Spearman correlation test). Furthermore, the frequency of concomitant sadness and anxiety was markedly higher in cases compared to controls (59.7% vs. 19.2%) (P<0.0001; Mann-Whitney test). These findings highlight a noteworthy association between sadness and anxiety specifically in cases. In conclusion, our data identified concurrent psychological phenotypes in individuals experiencing sleep and memory disturbances during long COVID. This strengthens the existing evidence that SARS-CoV-2 causes widespread brain pathology with interconnected phenotypic clusters. This finding highlights the need for comprehensive medical attention to address these complex issues, as well as major investments in testing strategies capable of preventing the development of long COVID sequelae, such as vaccination.

P-49 Unexpected spontaneous evolution of a symptomatic Rathke's cleft cyst

Abstract Introduction Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) are relatively rare sellar and suprasellar lesions that arise from remnants of Rathke's pouch, an embryonic precursor to the anterior pituitary gland. These cysts are often found incidentally during neuroimaging studies for unrelated issues. Despite their non-neoplastic nature, RCCs can lead to a spectrum of clinical manifestations due to their potential to compress surrounding structures, including the pituitary gland, optic chiasm, and adjacent neurovascular structures. However, the majority of Rathke's cysts will remain asymptomatic and typically do not necessitate any medical intervention. Instances of spontaneous regression of these cysts are infrequent, and cases of regression occurring after a recurrence are exceptionally rare. Clinical Case The patient is a 57-year-old individual with a medical history of well-controlled type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Additionally, the patient had a history of right ocular trauma in 1989 resulting in a decrease of visual acuity. The patient presented with persistent chronic headaches, leading to the detection of a Rathke's cleft cyst as revealed by a pituitary MRI showing a cystic structure measuring 15×11 mm in the sellar region. The cyst displayed a predominant left-sided lateralization and was characterized by T1 hypointensity as well as T2 hyperintensity. No enhancement was observed on post-gadolinium contrast injection. The cyst exerted a mass effect on the optic chiasm. Hypophyseal axis assessment revealed intact function. Notably, the patient exhibited significant visual field impairment in the right eye, marked by loss of the superior, nasal, and inferior fields, while the right visual field remained unaffected. The patient was managed conservatively based on the rationale that the visual disturbances were attributed to the ocular trauma and not linked to the RCC. Follow-up hypothalamo-hypophysial MRI conducted in April 2023 demonstrated complete spontaneous regression of the Rathke's cleft cyst, with an improvement of his chronic headache. Conclusion The natural history of RCCs is multifaceted leading to heterogenous outcomes ranging from volume progression with hormonal deficiencies and/or visual disturbances to stability over time to even spontaneous involution. The precise mechanism underlying the latter remains unclear. One possible explanation could involve disruptions in the equilibrium between the secretion and absorption of the cystic fluid, or even the potential occurrence of cyst rupture. The potential for involution or stability of the cyst is influenced by the cyst size. The likelihood of spontaneous involution advocates for a conservative strategy in cases of symptomatic RCCs where headaches are the sole presenting symptom.

Post-partum cavernous venous sinus thrombosis (CVST): a case report

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is one of the most serious and fatal disorder of intracranial venous pathways characterized by clot formation in Cerebral venous sinuses. Generally, CVST is a fulminating process with a high rate of mortality (1 in 3 patient) secondary to a spreading bacterial infection specially over head and neck region where coagulase positive Staphylococcus (90%) is mostly responsible. Individuals with hypercoagulable state i.e., pregnancy or puerperium and malignancy can also suffer from this form of thrombosis. Here we are presenting such a case, who developed CVST on the 5th day of puerperium with features of persistent headache and eye problems. The diagnosis was confirmed with MRI in combination with Magnetic resonance venography (MRV). She responded well to low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and was discharged on long term oral anticoagulant and regular follow-ups. Her subsequent pregnancy was uneventful without repeat attack of CVST. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2024; 42: 82-85

Acute on Chronic SDH as a complication of untreated spontaneous CSF leak following air travel

Introduction: Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are a complex disorder with a wide range of clinical and radiological features. These leaks occur without any apparent cause and are often associated with disorders of the connective tissue matrix, pre-existing dural weakness, and meningeal diverticula. Case Report: A 41-year-old male presented with new onset persistent orthostatic headaches that significantly affected his daily activities. Upon examination, his neurological functions appeared normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his brain and cervical spine revealed a CSF leak at the C1/2 junction. Initially, conservative management provided partial relief, but the patient&amp;apos;s symptoms worsened after air travel. Repeat MRI showed bilateral subdural hematomas (SDH) and extension of the CSF leak into the cervical and thoracic levels. Computed Tomographic myelogram (CT myelogram) confirmed the CSF leak at the left posterolateral dural sac at the C5/T1 level. To address the CSF leak, an autologous epidural blood patch (EBP) was performed via the T9-10 level, followed by the evacuation of the bilateral SDH. However, the patient experienced complications with cerebral salt wasting postoperatively. Fortunately, his symptoms disappeared, and subsequent CT scans showed no further CSF leak. Discussion: Subdural hematoma (SDH) is a common complication of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), which can be treated with an epidural blood patch (EBP). Surgical intervention is usually reserved for cases where non-surgical management fails. Surgical repair is generally safe and effective in providing relief for patients with identified structural abnormalities or focal CSF leaks. Unfortunately, spontaneous CSF leaks often go underdiagnosed due to their varied clinical and radiographic presentations. As seen in this case, the presence and worsening of signs and symptoms of a CSF leak indicate the need for further evaluation and management. Conclusion: Spontaneous CSF leaks are a complex disorder with diverse clinical and radiographic manifestations. Early recognition and appropriate management, whether conservative or surgical, are crucial in providing relief and preventing complications such as subdural hematomas. Healthcare professionals should maintain a high index of suspicion for CSF leaks in patients presenting with persistent orthostatic headaches or other related symptoms.

The results of the corrective rehabilitation program on the gait of amateur athletes with long-term consequences of brain injury

Aim: To study the results of the quality of life, the state of vestibular disorders and the nature of walking of amateur athletes with the consequences of a combat craniocerebral injury after rehabilitation treatment according to a correctional program. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on the basis of the Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Prosthetics in Kharkov. Under observation were 38 men aged 25-42 years with long-term consequences of a closed craniocerebral injury in the late long-term period. In all patients, complications after TBI were persistent headache, decreased muscle strength in the lower extremities, impaired coordination and balance, and walking patterns. All patients were involved in amateur sports before injury. The following research methods were used during the examination: visual analogue pain scale (VAS), Lovett manual muscle test, Bohannon test, ≪Timed Up and Go test≫. Results: All patients were randomly divided into two groups. Patients Gr.1 (n=20) were trained according to the developed program, which included training according to the PNF method, kinesiotherapy, classes on the C-mill sensory treadmill and the Hunova computer device, segmental reflex massage. Patients Gr. 2 (n=18) underwent a course of physical rehabilitation according to the generally accepted methodology of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. After working with patients according to the developed correction and rehabilitation program, the following dynamics were observed: the quality of life on the VAS scale in Gr.1 patients had a statistically significant difference (p&lt;0.05) compared to the primary indicator. The dynamics of the Lovett manual muscle test indicated an increase in the muscle strength of the extensor and flexor muscle groups of the lower extremities, the dynamics of the balance indicator in the standing position behind Bohann in all Gr.1 patients and acquired statistical significance (p&lt;0,05). According to the test “Timed Up and Go” patients Gr.1 approached the standard value (p&lt;0,05). In all patients of Gr. 2, the studied characteristics had a positive trend (p&gt;0,05). Conclusions: Individual selection of physical exercises, development of correctional and rehabilitation programs, multidisciplinary approach has a positive impact on changes in the functional state of amateur athletes, quality of life and contributes to the return to an active social life.

A case report on spontaneous intracranial hypotension

A 38-year-old lady with bronchial asthma, psychiatric illness, and a suicidal attempt 6 years ago presented with persistent headache for more than 2 weeks. She was diagnosed with recurrent sinusitis and migraine and was on treatment at a local hospital and referred to a higher center for persistent headache which was orthostatic in nature. Clinically, the patient was alert, oriented, and systemic examination was unremarkable. MRI spine showed extensive extradural collection separating the anterior dural sac from the bony canal extending from C3 to D1. CT Myelogram showed cervical dural leak anteriorly at C7-D1 and bony osteophyte impinging on the dural sac – likely cause of leak. Diagnosis of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension was made. As no improvement was noted with trial of conservative management, we proceeded with advanced imaging-guided Epidural blood patch repair, following which the symptoms improved.

Unveiling the Uncommon: A Case of Parietal Rhabdomyosarcoma in a 60-year-old Woman

Malignant mesenchymal tumours are rare, aggressive neoplasms originating from mesenchymal tissues. These tumours are characterised by a high metastatic potential and pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Mesenchymal tumours are of interest to oncologists because of their comparatively low occurrence, especially those with a high proliferation index. Authors report a case of a 60-year-old female who presented to the tertiary care rural hospital with persistent headaches, dizziness, and respiratory distress. Imaging studies revealed a heterogeneously enhancing soft-tissue density lesion in the right parietal region with extensive metastasis to both lungs. Histopathological analysis of the parietal lesion indicated features suspicious of a highgrade malignant tumour of muscular origin. Immunohistochemistry results were conclusive for Rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient was treated with radiation therapy for the primary tumour site and systemic chemotherapy, including doxorubicin and ifosfamide, for the metastasis. This case highlights the aggressive nature of malignant mesenchymal tumours and the complexities involved in their management. The high Ki-67 index and extensive metastasis indicate a poor prognosis. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for symptom management and improving quality of life. Early detection, accurate diagnosis, and a comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment strategy are essential for managing these challenging cases. Patients with such tumours typically have a bad prognosis since they have a significant chance of the tumour spreading to other organs, such as the liver, lungs, and bones. This case report aims to highlight the clinical presentation, diagnostic process, and therapeutic challenges associated with this aggressive tumour type, contributing to the limited but growing body of literature on rhabdomyosarcoma.

Headache Management in Neurosurgical Postoperative Patients Article Sidebar

Introduction: Headache in neurosurgical patients is an important clinical problem that has been receiving an increasing amount of attention. However, only a few studies have described cases of headache following craniotomy, and even fewer have proposed pain management for this pathology. In contrast, general postoperative pain has been extensively studied, and there are thus many guidelines to treat such pain. Here we propose a regimen that includes the use of analgesics based on postoperative pain guidelines. Material and Methods: A randomized prospective study was performed on all neurosurgical patients who had underwent craniotomy at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery between September 2016 and September 2017. The subjects were subdivided into control and experimental groups. Each group comprised 50 patients. Analgesic management in the experimental group was based on multimodal analgesia. Results and Discussion: There was a significant difference in the Analogue Visual Scale scores between the control and experimental groups, both on the last hospitalization day (p = 0.000) and at the 6-month follow-up (p = 0.002). There was thus a significant amelioration of pain among patients in the experimental group when compared to those in the control group. Adequate preoperative and follow up pain management is of most importance for patient care and outcome.Our findings indicate that there was a decrease in pain following multimodal analgesia in post-craniotomy patients Conclusion: Based on the results obtained in this study and the previously reported evidence, we suggest that postoperative management of acute and persistent headache in patients who undergo craniotomy should comprise multimodal analgesia.

Persistent headache attributed to past ischemic stroke: A prospective cohort study.

To assess the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors for developing persistent headache attributed to past ischemic stroke. Although the most recent International Classification of Headache Disorders has recognized the existence of persistent headache attributed to past ischemic stroke, there has been limited research in this area. This was a prospective cohort study. We initially assessed patients hospitalized with ischemic stroke admitted within 72 h of symptom onset. All patients underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. These patients were re-interviewed by telephone 1 year after the stroke. Semi-structured questionnaires, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and six-item Headache Impact Test were used. A total of 119 participants answered the interview conducted 1 year after the stroke. The mean (standard deviation) age was 64 (13.1) years, 82/119 (68.9%) were female, and the median (interquartile range) NIHSS score was 2 (1.0-4.0). The incidence rate of persistent headache attributed to past ischemic stroke was 12/119 (10.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.3-17.0%). The most frequent pattern presented was a migraine-like pattern in seven of the 12 (58.3%) patients, which had a substantial/severe impact on five of the 12 (41.7%). For most patients this headache continued, although it began to improve. Previous migraine (odds ratio 7.1, 95% CI 1.06-50.0; p = 0.043) and headache intensity in the acute phase of stroke (odds ratio 1.75, 95% CI 1.13-2.7; p = 0.012) were associated with the occurrence of persistent headache attributed to past ischemic stroke. Persistent headache attributed to past ischemic stroke is a frequent complication after stroke. It often has a significant impact on patients' lives and presents a migraine-like pattern as its most frequent phenotype.

Ocular Diseases Presenting in Post-COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-sectional Study Conducted at a Tertiary Institute in Andhra Pradesh, Southern India

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which started in December 2019, has rapidly spread across the globe. Although the prevalence of COVID-19 disease has significantly decreased, there are cases of post-COVID-19 complications affecting multiple organ systems, including the eyes. Aim: To evaluate ocular diseases presenting in post-COVID-19 patients and their association with demographic profiles, duration of post-COVID-19, and the type of treatment received. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a four-month period (August 2021 to November 2021) in the Department of Ophthalmology at AIIMS, Mangalagiri, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study focused on post-COVID-19 patients who had been affected by COVID-19 no more than three months prior. Patients who were not post-COVID-19 and those who had contracted COVID19 during the first wave were excluded from the study. The patients’ clinical history and symptoms were documented. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and detailed anterior and posterior segment findings were recorded for all patients. The study aimed to assess post-COVID-19 ocular complications and any potential associations with hospital stays, steroid intake, or oxygen inhalation on eye diseases. Mean and median calculations were performed for continuous variables, and a Chisquare test was used to study associations. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 was employed, and a p-value &lt;0.05 was deemed significant. Results: In the present study, males constituted 41 (62.1%) and females constituted 25 (37.9%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.64:1. The majority of patients 23 (34.8%) were above 50 years old. Most patients 24 (36.4%) developed eye diseases one month after their COVID-19 infection. Out of 66 patients, 11 (16.7%) were diabetic, 8 (12.1%) were hypertensive, and 40 (60.6%) had no associated co-morbidities. During their COVID-19 illness, 53 (80.3%) patients underwent home isolation and received supportive treatment, while 13 (19.7%) patients were hospitalised. The most common ocular disease observed was conjunctivitis 39 (59.1% of patients) following post-COVID-19. Additionally, 4 (6%) patients developed central serous chorioretinopathy, 4 (6%) developed refractive errors, 5 (7.6%) experienced persistent headaches, and 2 (3%) developed orbital mucormycosis. Conclusion: The present study presents ophthalmic manifestations in post-COVID-19 patients. Conjunctivitis was found to be the most common ocular disease, more prevalent one month after the COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 retinopathy was the most common posterior segment complication, especially in patients above 50 years old and three months post-COVID-19.