Cefaleias primárias: diagnóstico e tratamento / Primary headache: diagnosis and treatment

Cefaleia é uma das queixas mais frequentes na prática médica. Dentro deste contexto, as cefaleias primárias representam o maior motivo de busca por auxílio médico. O objetivo desta revisão é abordar o diagnóstico e tratamento abortivo das cefaleias do tipo tensional, enxaqueca e em salvas.

Headache is one of the most frequent complaints in medical practice. Within the context of headache, primary represents the biggest reason for seeking medical attention. The aim of this paper is to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of tension-type headache, migraine and cluster headache.

Attitudes of a group of Brazilian orthodontists towards the diagnosis and management of primary headache (migraine): an electronic-based survey

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of orthodontists in the diagnosis and management of migraine without aura. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants were dentists, recruited among members of the Brazilian Association of Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics (ABOR). An e-mail was sent to all ABOR members, with a link to a website, especially prepared for this research. Dentists were presented to a report of a fictional patient fulfilling diagnostic criteria for a primary headache disorder, known as migraine without aura. Participants were asked to describe how they would relieve the patient's pain. Professional procedures were classified as "adequate" or "inadequate" according to the answers given. RESULTS: 161 valid answers were received (18.8 percent response rate). Of them, 36 percent of the actions were considered to be "adequate" procedures, while 64 percent were "inadequate". The results yielded 12 main procedures, based on common characteristics. Eighty-two orthodontists suggested orthodontic treatment with or without orthognathic surgery, and some suggested using stabilization appliances prior to the orthodontic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of participants proposed inadequate therapies, and 51 percent suggested orthodontic correction of occlusion, including orthognathic surgery. Educational activities on migraine should also target orthodontists.

Diagnostic outcome of patients presenting with severe thunderclap headache at saidu teaching hospital

To find out the frequency of patients attending Casualty department of a Teaching Hospital with sudden severe thunderclap headache, their diagnostic out-come and follow up. The study was conducted in Casualty and Medical, Departments of Saidu Teaching Hospital, Saidu Sharif, from January 2006 to December 2006. Out of 22,000 patients with different Medical problems attended Casualty department during study period of which 128 cases had acute severe thunderclap headache. Age range was 15 to 80 years with mean age of 46 +/- 10 years. Seventy eight patients [61%] were female and fifty [39%] were male. Protocol included proper clinical examination, basic laboratory investigations, admission to the General medical ward / Intensive care unit for observation, treatment and follow-up. CT scan of brain and or lumber puncture was performed in all the studied patients. The in-hospital follow up period was from two to fourteen days. The patients were reviewed one month later after discharge from hospital. Out of 120 patients twenty cases [15.6%] had Subarachnoid haemorrhage [SAH] seven patients [5.4%] had Cerebral infarction, five patients [3.9%] had an Intracerebral Haematoma. Five patients [3.9%] had aseptic meningitis. Two cases [1.5%] were reported as cerebral edema. One case [0.8%] had venous sinus thrombosis. As there was no specific finding on investigations and follow up of 88 cases [69%]: these were labeled as idiopathic thunder-clap headache. Past history of not more than three similar episodes was present in 33 cases [25.78%]. Out of these 33 cases, thirty belonged to the benign group of 88; other three cases had organic causes. Clinical diagnosis of Migraine was made in 37 cases out of these 88 cases. Attack of severe thunderclap headache is not an un-common emergency. Attack due to Subarachnoid haemorrhage [SAH] or other serious underlying disease cannot be distinguished from non specific headaches on clinical grounds alone. It is recommended that all such patients be hospitalized and investigated properly with CT scan and or lumbar puncture to distinguish between benign and organic headaches

Clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of acute primary headaches at an emergency center: why are we still neglecting the evidence?

In order to analyze the clinical features, approach and treatment of patients with acute primary headaches seen at the Clinics Hospital of the Federal University of Uberlândia (HC-UFU) throughout 2005, the medical charts of 109 patients were evaluated through a standardized questionnaire as to age, gender, main diagnosis, characteristics of the headache attacks, diagnostic tests and treatment. Probable migraine was the most common type of primary headache (47.7 percent), followed by probable tension-type headache (37.6 percent), unspecified headache (11.9 percent), and headache not elsewhere classified (2.8 percent). As to characteristics of the crisis, the location of the pain was described in 86.2 percent of the patients. The most commonly used drugs for treatment of acute headache attacks were dipyrone (74.5 percent), tenoxicam (31.8 percent), diazepam (20.9 percent), dimenhydrate (10.9 percent), and metochlopramide (9.9 percent). The data collected are in agreement with those reported in literature. In most cases, treatment was not what is recommended by consensus or clinical studies with appropriate methodology. Therefore, we suggest the introduction of a specific acute headache management protocol which could facilitate the diagnosis, treatment and management of these patients.

Com o objetivo de avaliar as características clínicas, abordagem e tratamento das cefaléias agudas primárias atendidas no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (HC-UFU) no ano de 2005, 109 prontuários foram analisados através de questionário padronizado, segundo idade, sexo, diagnóstico principal, características das crises, propedêutica e tratamento. A distribuição dos pacientes quanto ao tipo de cefaléia foi a seguinte: provável enxaqueca 47,7 por cento, provável cefaléia tensional 37,6 por cento, cefaléia não classificada 11,9 por cento e cefaléia não classificada em outro local 2,8 por cento. No que tange às características da crise, a localização da dor foi descrita em 86,2 por cento dos pacientes. No tratamento dos pacientes com crise aguda de cefaléia, as drogas mais utilizadas foram: dipirona (74,5 por cento), seguido de tenoxicam (31,8 por cento), diazepam (20,9 por cento), dramin® (10,9 por cento) e metoclopramida (9,9 por cento). Os dados levantados são condizentes com os relatados na literatura. O tratamento efetuado, na maioria dos casos, não foi o recomendado por consensos ou estudos clínicos com metodologia aceitável. Recomendamos, portanto, a introdução de um protocolo específico para o atendimento das cefaléias agudas, o que facilitará o diagnóstico, tratamento e manejo destes pacientes.

Cefaléias primárias: abordagem diagnóstica por médicos não-neurologistas / Primary headaches: a diagnostic approach by non-neurologist doctors

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o conhecimento do diagnóstico e conduta de médicos não-neurologistas quanto às cefaléias primárias. MÉTODO: 91 médicos foram solicitados a diagnosticar e estabelecer condutas em três histórias de pacientes com características clínicas de migrânea sem aura (MSA), cefaléia do tipo tensional crônica (CTTC) e migrânea com aura (MCA), elaboradas de acordo com a Classificação Internacional das Cefaléias - 2ª Edição (CIC-II). RESULTADOS: MSA: dois profissionais (2,2 por cento) fizeram o diagnóstico correto, 54 (59,3 por cento) diagnosticaram migrânea sem especificar o subtipo. CTTC: 15 médicos (16,5 por cento) diagnosticaram cefaléia de tensão sem especificar o subtipo. MCA: 26 (28,6 por cento) fizeram o diagnóstico de migrânea e apenas um médico (1,1 por cento) fez o diagnóstico correto do subtipo. Dezesseis médicos (17,6 por cento) afirmaram conhecer a CIC-II. CONCLUSÃO: A maioria dos médicos não-neurologistas desconhece os critérios utilizados para diagnóstico e classificação das formas mais freqüentes de cefaléias primárias.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge of diagnostic and posture of non-neurologist doctors concerning primary headaches. METHOD: 91 doctors were asked to diagnose and establish procedures on three patient histories presenting clinic characteristics of migraine without aura (MA), chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) and migraine with aura (MO), according to the International Classification of Headaches - 2nd Edition (CIC-II). RESULTS: MSA: Two professionals (2.2 percent) were accurate in their diagnostic, 54 (59.3 percent) said it was migraine but did not specify the subtype. CTTC: 15 doctors (16.5 percent) diagnosed tension-type headache but did not specify the subtype. MCA: 26 (28.6 percent) said it was migraine, and only one doctor (1.1 percent) was right about the subtype. Sixteen doctors (17.6 percent) said to be aware of CIC-II. CONCLUSION: Most of non-neurologist doctors do not know the diagnostic criteria used to diagnose and to classify the most frequent forms of primary headaches.