Undifferentiated headache: broadening the approach to headache in children and adolescents, with supporting evidence from a nationwide school-based cross-sectional survey in Turkey

Background: Headache is a leading disabler in adults worldwide. In children and adolescents, the same may be true but the evidence is much poorer. It is notable that published epidemiological studies of these age groups have largely ignored headaches not fulfilling any specific set of ICHD criteria, although such headaches appear to be common. A new approach to these is needed: here we introduce, and investigate, a diagnostic category termed undifferentiated headache (UdH), defined in young people as recurrent mild-intensity headache of <1 h's duration. Methods: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey in 31 schools in six regions of Turkey selected by mixed convenience-based and purposive modified cluster-sampling. A validated, standardised self-completed structured questionnaire was administered by a physician-investigator to entire classes of pupils aged 6-17 years. Results: Of the identified sample of 7889 pupils, 7088 (89.8%) participated. The 1-year prevalence of UdH was 29.2%, of migraine (definite and probable) 26.7%, and of tension-type headache (TTH) (definite and probable) 12.9%. UdH differed with respect to almost all headache features and associated symptoms from both migraine and TTH. Burden of headache and use of acute medication were lower in UdH than in migraine and TTH. Headache yesterday was less common in UdH than migraine (OR 0.32; 95% CI 0.28-0.37) and TTH (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.56-0.77). Quality of life (QoL) was better in UdH (33.6 +/- 5.2) than in migraine (30.3 +/- 5.6; p < 0.001) and TTH (32.4 +/- 5.3; p < 0.001), but worse than in pupils without headache (35.7 +/- 4.7; p < 0.001). Conclusions: This large nationwide study in Turkey of pupils aged 6-17 years has shown that many children and adolescents have a headache type that does not conform to existing accepted diagnostic criteria. This new diagnostic category of presumably still-evolving headache (undifferentiated headache) is common. UdH differs in almost all measurable respects from both migraine and TTH. Although characterised by mild headaches lasting < 1 h, UdH is associated with significant adverse impact on QoL. Longitudinal cohort studies are needed to evaluate the prognosis of UdH but, meanwhile, recognition of UdH and its distinction from migraine and TTH has implications for epidemiological studies, public-health policy and routine clinical practice

Management of Multiple Sclerosis patient in special conditions

Multiplesclerosis (MS) is an immunemediatedchronicinflammatorydiseasecharacterizedbyneuroinflammationandneurodegeneration of thecentralnervoussystem (CNS). Thecourseandtreatment of thediseasearethemostcommonquestionsaskedbypatientswith MS. Questionsconcerningtherelationship of MS withpregnancyandthepostpartumperiod, assistedreproductiontechnology, preand post-operativeproblemsandvaccinesarealsofrequentlyasked, andsome of theanswersarestillcontroversial. It is knownthat MS has noharmfuleffect on pregnancyorthefetus. The presence of MS is not an indicationtoterminatepregnancy, anddiseaseprogression is not foundto be relatedwithpregnancy. Therelapsesduringpregnancyareknowntohave a mildcourse but on thecontrary, therelapsesduringthepostpartumperiodtendto be particularly severe. It is suggestedto stop takingdiseasemodifyingtherapies (DMT) at leastonemonthpriortothepregnancyplanningperiod. There is nocontraindicationfortheuseof conventionalcontraceptives; however it is knownthat oral contraceptivesincreasethe risk of venousthromboembolism in MS patientswithimpairedmobility. Patientswithdecreasedfertilityandwhoarecandidatesforassistedreproductiontechnologies (ART) should be informedabouttheincreased risk of relapse. It is alsoshownthatproceduresunderspinalanesthesiaincreasethe risk of relapse, so general anesthesiamay be an alternative in MS patients. Cautioustitration of anestheticdrugs, continuousmonitoringandusingthelowestpossibleeffectivedosearethetreatmentprinciples. Exceptforhepatitis B therearenoadequatepublished data aboutvaccinesthatcause CNS demyelination. Inthispaper, wediscuss how toapproachtheabovementionedparticularissues in MS patient

Trigeminal neuropathy as presenting symptom of craniofacial venous metameric syndrome

Aims Trigeminal neuropathy is more likely to suggest neuronal damage and occur due to secondary pathology than trigeminal neuralgia. Evaluation of underlying etiologies are necessary. Case A 29-year-old female patient presented with left sided continuous burning pain likened to pins and needles at maxillary distribution for about a year. Her examination was normal except left-sided buccal swelling without any skin or mucosal change. Cranial MRI revealed asymmetrical dilation of left Meckel's cave, bilateral cerebral developmental venous anomaly and left sided slow flow venous malformation from superior temporal fossa to masseter muscle. Cerebral angiography confirmed widespread venous return anomaly in both cerebral hemispheres and slow-flow venous malformation that does not fill in the early arterial phase in the left buccal space and superficial temporal fossa. Cerebrofacial venous metameric syndrome is diagnosed. Percutaneous sclerotherapy with alcohol is planned in three separate sessions, the first of the three planned sessions is performed yet and the patient stated that her neuropathic pain decreased by 40% afterwards. Significance Clinical manifestation of the cerebrofacial venous metameric syndrome depends on the localization of the lesions; therefore, venous anomalies in relation with the trigeminal branches can present with painful trigeminal neuropathy