[Primary stabbing headache: clinical characteristics and response to treatment in a series of 67 patients]. / Cefalea primaria punzante: caracteristicas clínicas y respuesta al tratamiento en una serie de 67 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: Primary stabbing headache (PSH) is defined by the presence of short stabbing pains in the first branch of the trigeminal nerve. According to population-based studies, it is very prevalent, but most cases present stabbing pains with low frequencies and intensities that do not lead the patient to seek medical attention. AIMS: We report on 67 cases of PSH attended in the headache service of a tertiary hospital. In the study, the demographic and clinical characteristics are studied, treatment response is reviewed and the features of PSH are compared in terms of whether it was the only headache or was accompanied by others. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 67 patients (51 females and 16 males) diagnosed with PSH between January 2008 and January 2012, of a total number of 1668 (4%) patients attended in the above-mentioned service. RESULTS: Age at onset: 34.5 ± 16.7 years. Forty-nine cases (73.1%) were associated to another headache, above all migraine. Stabbing pains were often bilateral; 38 (56.7%) patients suffered more than one a day and 11 (16.4%) had more than 10 per day. They lasted less than five seconds in 48 patients (71.6%) and more than 10 seconds in 11 of them (16.4%), with an intensity of 6.8 ± 1.5. The age of onset of PSH was higher if it was the only type of headache than if it was accompanied by others. Twenty-six (38.8%) patients required preventive treatment for the associated headache and 16 (23.8%) took indomethacin, with a similar response in the two groups (73 versus 75%). CONCLUSIONS; PSH is not infrequent in headache clinics, but its phenotype differs from that reported in population-based studies. The characteristics of PSH vary depending on whether it is the only headache or is associated with others. Preventive treatment is often required and patients respond well to it.

Cefalea primaria punzante: características clínicas y respuesta al tratamiento en una serie de 67 pacientes / Primary stabbing headache: clinical characteristics and response to treatment in a series of 67 patients

Introducción. La cefalea primaria punzante (CPP) se define por la presencia de punzadas breves localizadas en la primera rama del nervio trigémino. Según estudios de base poblacional, es muy prevalente, pero la mayoría de casos presenta punzadas de baja frecuencia e intensidad que no requieren consulta médica. Objetivos. Presentar 67 casos de CPP de la consulta de cefaleas de un hospital terciario, analizar las características demográficasy clínicas, revisar la respuesta al tratamiento y comparar las características de la CPP según sea cefalea única o se acompañe de otras. Pacientes y métodos. Muestra de 67 pacientes (51 mujeres y 16 varones) diagnosticados de CPP entre enero de 2008 y enero de 2012, de un total de 1.668 (4%) atendidos en dicha consulta. Resultados. Edad al inicio: 34,5 ± 16,7 años. Cuarenta y nueve casos (73,1%) asociaban otra cefalea, sobre todo migraña. Las punzadas eran frecuentemente bilaterales; 38 pacientes (56,7%) sufrían más de una al día y 11 (16,4%) más de 10 al día. Su duración era menor de cinco segundos en 48 (71,6%) pacientes y mayor de 10 segundos en 11 (16,4%), con una intensidad de 6,8 ± 1,5. La edad de inicio de la CPP era mayor si era cefalea única que si acompañaba a otras. Veintiséis (38,8%) pacientes requirieron un preventivo para la cefalea asociada y 16 (23,8%) indometacina con respuesta similar en los dos grupos (73 frente a 75%). Conclusiones. La CPP no es infrecuente en una consulta de cefaleas, pero su fenotipo difiere del descrito en estudios de base poblacional. Las características de la CPP son diferentes en función de si es cefalea única o asocia otras. Se requiere tratamiento preventivo con frecuencia y la respuesta es buena (AU)

Introduction. Primary stabbing headache (PSH) is defined by the presence of short stabbing pains in the first branch of the trigeminal nerve. According to population-based studies, it is very prevalent, but most cases present stabbing pains with low frequencies and intensities that do not lead the patient to seek medical attention. Aims. We report on 67 cases of PSH attended in the headache service of a tertiary hospital. In the study, the demographic and clinical characteristics are studied, treatment response is reviewed and the features of PSH are compared in terms of whether it was the only headache or was accompanied by others. Patients and methods. The study involved 67 patients (51 females and 16 males) diagnosed with PSH between January 2008 and January 2012, of a total number of 1668 (4%) patients attended in the above-mentioned service. Results. Age at onset: 34.5 ± 16.7 years. Forty-nine cases (73.1%) were associated to another headache, above all migraine. Stabbing pains were often bilateral; 38 (56.7%) patients suffered more than one a day and 11 (16.4%) had more than 10 per day. They lasted less than five seconds in 48 patients (71.6%) and more than 10 seconds in 11 of them (16.4%), with an intensity of 6.8 ± 1.5. The age of onset of PSH was higher if it was the only type of headache than if it was accompanied by others. Twenty-six (38.8%) patients required preventive treatment for the associated headache and 16 (23.8%) took indomethacin, with a similar response in the two groups (73 versus 75%). Conclusions. PSH is not infrequent in headache clinics, but its phenotype differs from that reported in population-based studies. The characteristics of PSH vary depending on whether it is the only headache or is associated with others. Preventive treatment is often required and patients respond well to it (AU)

Hemicránea continua: características y experiencia terapéutica en una serie de 36 pacientes / Hemicrania continua: characteristics and therapeutic experience in a series of 36 patients

Introducción. La hemicránea continua se caracteriza por un dolor unilateral, continuo, con exacerbaciones frecuentementeasociadas a síntomas autonómicos. Es probablemente poco conocida e infradiagnosticada. Su diagnóstico requiere respuesta a la indometacina, no siempre bien tolerada. Objetivo. Se presenta una serie de 36 casos de hemicránea continua atendidos en la consulta de cefaleas de un hospitalterciario. Analizamos sus características demográficas y clínicas y las alternativas terapéuticas a la indometacina.Pacientes y métodos. Entre enero de 2008 y abril de 2012, 36 pacientes (28 mujeres, ocho varones) fueron diagnosticadosde hemicránea continua entre 1.800 (2%) atendidos en dicha consulta.Resultados. La edad al inicio fue de 46,3 ± 18,4 años. En cuatro pacientes (11,1%) existían remisiones del dolor superioresa tres meses. El dolor basal era principalmente opresivo o quemante, y su intensidad era de 5,2 ± 1,4 en la escala analógicaverbal. Las exacerbaciones tenían una duración de 32,3 ± 26,1 minutos, carácter predominantemente punzante,intensidad de 8,3 ± 1,4, y en el 69,4% de casos se acompañaban de síntomas autonómicos. El 16,7% de los pacientes no toleró la indometacina más allá de un indotest, y un 50% lo hizo con efectos adversos. En 13 casos se llevó a cabo al menos un bloqueo anestésico en el nervio supraorbitario o el occipital mayor, o una inyección de corticoides en la tróclea con respuesta completa en el 53,8% y parcial en el 38,5%.Conclusiones. La hemicránea continua no es un diagnóstico infrecuente en una consulta de cefaleas, y es necesario aumentarsu conocimiento al tratarse de una entidad tratable. Los bloqueos anestésicos del nervio supraorbotario o del occipital mayor o la inyección de corticoides en la tróclea son una opción terapéutica que se debe considerar cuando la indometacina no se tolera bien (AU)

Introduction. Hemicrania continua is characterised by a continuous unilateral pain, which frequently gets worse in association with autonomic symptoms. It is probably little known and underdiagnosed. Its diagnosis requires a responseto indomethacin, which is not always well tolerated. Aims. We report a series of 36 cases of hemicrania continua that were treated in the headache service of a tertiary hospital. We analyse their demographic and clinical features and the therapeutic alternatives to indomethacin. Patients and methods. Between January 2008 and April 2012, 36 patients (28 females, eight males) were diagnosed with hemicrania continua from among 1800 (2%) who were treated in that service Results. The age of onset was 46.3 ± 18.4 years. In four patients (11.1%) there were pain remissions that lasted overthree months. The baseline pain was chiefly oppressive or burning with an intensity of 5.2 ± 1.4 on the verbal analogue scale. Exacerbations lasted 32.3 ± 26.1 minutes, were of a predominantly stabbing nature with an intensity of 8.3 ± 1.4, and in 69.4% of cases were accompanied by autonomic symptoms. Altogether 16.7% of the patients did not tolerate indomethacin beyond an indotest and 50% did so with side effects. In 13 cases at least one anaesthetic blockade was performed in the supraorbital or the greater occipital nerve or a trochlear injection of corticoids was carried out with a fullresponse in 53.8% and a partial response in 38.5%. Conclusions. Hemicrania continua is not an infrequent diagnosis in a headache clinic and, because it is a treatablecondition, further knowledge on the subject is needed. Anaesthetic blockades of the supraorbital or greater occipital nerves or a trochlear injection of corticoids are the therapeutic options that must be taken into consideration whenindomethacin is not well tolerated (AU)

[Hemicrania continua: characteristics and therapeutic experience in a series of 36 patients]. / Hemicránea continua: características y experiencia terapéutica en una serie de 36 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: Hemicrania continua is characterised by a continuous unilateral pain, which frequently gets worse in association with autonomic symptoms. It is probably little known and underdiagnosed. Its diagnosis requires a response to indomethacin, which is not always well tolerated. AIMS: We report a series of 36 cases of hemicrania continua that were treated in the headache service of a tertiary hospital. We analyse their demographic and clinical features and the therapeutic alternatives to indomethacin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and April 2012, 36 patients (28 females, eight males) were diagnosed with hemicrania continua from among 1800 (2%) who were treated in that service. RESULTS: The age of onset was 46.3 ± 18.4 years. In four patients (11.1%) there were pain remissions that lasted over three months. The baseline pain was chiefly oppressive or burning with an intensity of 5.2 ± 1.4 on the verbal analogue scale. Exacerbations lasted 32.3 ± 26.1 minutes, were of a predominantly stabbing nature with an intensity of 8.3 ± 1.4, and in 69.4% of cases were accompanied by autonomic symptoms. Altogether 16.7% of the patients did not tolerate indomethacin beyond an indotest and 50% did so with side effects. In 13 cases at least one anaesthetic blockade was performed in the supraorbital or the greater occipital nerve or a trochlear injection of corticoids was carried out with a full response in 53.8% and a partial response in 38.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Hemicrania continua is not an infrequent diagnosis in a headache clinic and, because it is a treatable condition, further knowledge on the subject is needed. Anaesthetic blockades of the supraorbital or greater occipital nerves or a trochlear injection of corticoids are the therapeutic options that must be taken into consideration when indomethacin is not well tolerated.

[Epicrania fugax: the clinical characteristics of a series of 18 patients]. / Epicrania fugax: características clínicas de una serie de 18 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: Epicrania fugax is a recently reported condition consisting in brief painful paroxysms that begin in the posterior regions of the brain and irradiate towards the ipsilateral eye, nose or temple. AIMS: To present 18 cases of epicrania fugax from a monographic headache centre in a tertiary hospital and to analyse their demographic and clinical features, as well as the indication and response to prophylactic treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 2008, when epicrania fugax was first reported, and March 2011, of a total of 1210 patients who were attended in that service (1.48%), 18 (12 females and 6 males) were diagnosed as suffering from this condition. Six of these cases had been published earlier. RESULTS: The mean age at onset was 42.5 ± 17.7 years (range: 23-82 years). They presented painful paroxysms that began in the occipital (n = 11; 61.1%), parietal (n = 6; 33.3%) or parieto-occipital (n = 1; 5.6%) regions and irradiated towards the ipsilateral eye (n = 12; 66.6%) or temple (n = 6; 33.3%); the whole process lasted less than 15 seconds. Most of them described the pain as lancinating or stabbing. In 10 cases (55.5%) a pain remained in the area where the paroxysms began, which in 6 cases (33.3%) was limited to a well-defined circular area and met the criteria for classification as nummular headache. In 12 cases (66.6%), prophylactic treatment was used, above all lamotrigine and gabapentin, with varying results. CONCLUSION: Our aim is to back the proposal of epicrania fugax as a new syndrome with a well-defined clinical spectrum. It does not appear to be an exceptional condition and further knowledge about it will probably give rise to the description of new series. Treatment is often necessary and, although further information and experience are needed, gabapentin and lamotrigine both play a promising role.

Otros trastornos no motores en la enfermedad de Parkinson / Other non-motor disorders in Parkinson’s disease

Introducción. Además de la clásica tríada (temblor, rigidez y acinesia), la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) se acompaña de diversas alteraciones no motoras. Objetivo. Hacer una revisión actualizada de algunos de estos síntomas no motores en cuanto a la fisiopatología, epidemiología, clínica y terapéutica. Desarrollo. Trastornos autonómicos como la dermatitis seborreica y los trastornos de la sudoración, la fatiga, la pérdida de peso o las alteraciones respiratorias (disnea, estridor inspiratorio) son síntomas muy prevalentes e incapacitantes, pueden ser el problema principal en alguna fase de la EP (fatiga, estridor) y condicionan la calidad de vida de los pacientes parkinsonianos. Es habitual no pensar en ellos y que no sean detectados por el médico. Aunque pueden responder a fármacos dopaminérgicos, suelen precisar un enfoque terapéutico diferente. Son necesarios estudios que valoren nuevas perspectivas terapéuticas que actúen contra los mecanismos fisiopatológicos de estas alteraciones. Conclusiones. La EP afecta a otros sistemas distintos al dopaminérgico nigroestriatal. Su mejor conocimiento permitirá abordar y optimizar el tratamiento de los síntomas que condicionan, reforzando el bienestar de los pacientes con EP (AU)

Introduction. In addition to the classic triad (tremor, rigidity and akinesia), Parkinson’s disease (PD) is also accompanied by several non-motor disorders. Aim. To carry out an updated review of these non-motor symptoms in terms of their pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical features and treatment. Development. Autonomic disorders such as seborrhoeic dermatitis and disorders involving sweating, fatigue, weight loss or respiratory problems (dyspnea, inspiratory stridor) are highly prevalent and very disabling symptoms. In addition, they may be the main problem in a particular phase of PD (fatigue, stridor) and condition the quality of life of patients with Parkinson. They are often neglected and remain undetected. Although they may respond to dopaminergic agents, they usually require a different therapeutic approach. Studies are needed to evaluate new therapeutic perspectives that act against the pathophysiological mechanisms of these disorders. Conclusions. PD affects systems other than the dopaminergic nigrostriatal. A better understanding of this pathology will make it possible to approach and optimise the treatment of the conditioning symptoms, thereby enhancing the welfare of patients with PD (AU)