动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血后头痛病因学分析

目的分析动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血(SAH)后头痛的病因。方法对107例发病后24h内CT诊断为SAH,并经全脑动脉造影(DSA)明确存在颅内动脉瘤的患者,分别在出血后1、2、3、5、7、10、14d行头痛数字评分(NRS),对中、重度头痛患者行头颅CT和经颅三维多普勒(TCD)检查,分析头痛发生原因,观察不同类型头痛的临床特点。结果86.9%(93/107)的动脉瘤性SAH患者病程中存在中、重度头痛,其中9.7%(9/93)源自动脉瘤再出血,其临床特点是突然出现剧烈头痛或原有头痛骤然加重,常伴有意识障碍或其他神经系统阳性体征;16.1%(15/93)的头痛患者CT显示继发性脑积水,且头痛多持续性加重,但有时可突然自行缓解;TCD检查显示12.9%(12/93)的头痛患者存在颅内血管痉挛,并可因病情持续加重出现局灶性神经功能缺损及意识障碍,61.3%(57/93)的患者无阳性发现,但临床表现类似。结论大多数动脉瘤性SAH患者存在中、重度头痛。     

The Thunderclap Headache: Approach and Management in the Emergency Department

BackgroundA thunderclap headache (TCH) is a severe headache reaching at least 7 (out of 10) in intensity within 1 min of onset, and can be the presenting symptom of several conditions with potential for significant morbidity and mortality.Objective of the ReviewThis narrative review evaluates the various conditions that may present with TCH and proposes a diagnostic algorithm for patients with TCH.DiscussionTCH is a symptom associated with several significant diseases. The most common diagnosed condition is subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Other diagnoses include reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, cerebral venous thrombosis, cervical artery dissection, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, spontaneous intracranial hypotension, and several others. Patients with TCH require history and physical examination, with a focus on the neurologic system, evaluating for these conditions, including SAH. Further testing often includes head computed tomography (CT) without contrast, CT angiography of the head and neck, and lumbar puncture. Evaluation must take into account history, examination, and the presence of any red flags or signs suggestive of a specific etiology. An algorithm is provided for guidance within this review incorporating these modalities. Management focuses on the specific diagnosis. If testing is negative for a serious condition and the patient improves, discharge home may be appropriate with follow-up.ConclusionsPatients presenting with TCH require diagnostic evaluation. History and examination are vital in assessing for risk factors for various conditions. Focused testing can assist with diagnosis, with management tailored to the specific diagnosis.     

An often unrecognized cause of thunderclap headache: reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

Thunderclap headache (TCH) can have several causes of which subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is most common and well known. A rare cause of TCH is the reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) which is characterized by a reversible segmental vasoconstriction of the intracranial vessels. We describe two patients with TCH due to RCVS and the probable precipitating factor, namely, cannabis and an anti-migraine drug. In RCVS, cerebrospinal fluid examination is (near) normal, in contrast to SAH and (primary) cerebral vasculitis. Brain MRI may be normal or shows infarction. MRA can demonstrate vasoconstriction of the great arteries, but a normal MRA does not rule out the diagnosis. Caliber changes on cerebral angiography cannot adequately differentiate between RCVS and vasculitis. Calcium-channel antagonists may be a good therapy and repeated transcranial Doppler ultrasonography can be a reliable non-invasive investigation to monitor the effect of treatment and demonstrate reversibility of the vasoconstriction.     

Brain atrophy and cerebral infarction

The subjects of the study (109 males, 48 females) were all diagnosed to have cerebral infarction by computerized tomography (CT). The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space volume and cranial cavity volume in the normal hemisphere of the patients were estimated using CT at the time from 1 to 3 weeks after the attack of cerebral infarction. The percentage of the CSF space volume to the cranial cavity volume was calculated as an indicator for brain atrophy and called brain atrophy index (BAI): BAI (%) = 100(%) X (CSF space volume/cranial cavity volume). The BAI immediately after the attack of infarction (6.6 +/- 2.2, n = 15), during which no detectable change occurred on CT examination, was the same as the BAI at the time from 1 to 332 days after the attack (6.6 +/- 2.4, n = 20). Therefore we compared the BAI in patients without infarction with the BAI in patients with infarction irrespective of secondary atrophy of the brain after the attack. The BAIs in males with infarction were significantly greater than the BAIs in males without infarction in the age of fifties, sixties and seventies. The BAIs in females with infarction were significantly greater than in females without infarction in the age of fifties, sixties and eighties.     

蛛网膜下腔出血剧烈头痛相关因素分析

目的　了解蛛网膜下腔出血 (SAH)后剧烈头痛的相关因素 ,探讨SAH性头痛发病机制 ,为头痛的治疗提供理论依据和途径。方法　制定头痛程度量表 ,根据CT分析SAH在颅内的分布情况以及脑压、脑脊液 (CSF)改变与头痛程度的关系。结果　CT显示阴性或阳性结果均出现剧烈头痛 ;SAH头痛程度与CSF发生血性质变有关 ,而与血性程度和出血部位无关 ;脑压在 30 0mmH2 O以下时 ,头痛加重不明显 ;当脑压升高超过 30 0mmH2 O时 ,头痛明显加重 (P <0 0 0 5 ) ;用地塞米松鞘内注射能显著改善头痛。结论　发生质变的血性CSF引起蛛网膜下腔广泛的炎性反应是导致头痛的重要原因 ,高颅压是SAH头痛的次要因素 ,出血量导致高颅压引起头痛 ,可能与头痛持续时间有关。     

A common cause of sudden and thunderclap headaches: reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

Background

Thunderclap headache (TCH) is a sudden headache (SH) with accepted criteria of severe intensity and onset to peak within one minute. It is a well-known presentation for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) but most patients with TCH or SH run a benign course without identifiable causes. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), a recently recognized syndrome characterized by recurrent TCH attacks, has been proposed to account for most of these patients.

Methods

We recruited consecutive patients presenting with SH at our headache clinic. Computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging with angiography were performed to exclude structural causes and to identify vasoconstriction. Catheter angiography and lumbar puncture were performed with patients consent. Reversibility of vasoconstriction was confirmed by follow-up study.

Results

From July 2010 to June 2013, 31 patients with SH were recruited. Twenty-four (72.7%) of these SH patients exhibited headache fulfilling the TCH criteria. The diagnosis of RCVS was confirmed in 14 (45.2%) of patients with SH and 11 (45.8%) of patients with TCH. Other diagnoses were as follows: primary headaches (SH: 41.9%, TCH: 45.8%) and other secondary causes (SH: 12.9%, TCH: 8.3%). Compared with non-RCVS patients, patients with RCVS were older (50.8 ± 9.3 years vs. 40.8 ± 10.0 years, P = 0.006) and less likely to experience short headache duration of < 1 hour (23.1% vs. 78.6%, P = 0.007). Patients with RCVS were more likely to cite bathing (42.9% vs. 0%, P = 0.004) and less likely to cite exertion (0% vs. 29.4%, P = 0.048) as headache triggers.

Conclusions

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is a common cause of SH and TCH. Considering the potential mortality and morbidity of RCVS, systemic examination of cerebral vessels should be performed in these patients.     

蛛网膜下腔出血剧烈头痛的CT分析

目的　了解SAH后剧烈头痛与CT所示的关系 ,探讨SAH头痛的发病机理。方法　制定头痛程度量表 ,根据CT分析SAH的分布情况 ,结合CSF改变 ,判定出血量和出血部位与头痛程度的关系。结果　CT显示阴性或阳性结果均出现剧烈头痛 ,中等程度以上的出血较少量出血头痛程度明显加重。A区和B区出血头痛程度相同。CSF血性改变程度与头痛严重程度无明显相关。结论　CSF发生血性质变是导致头痛的重要原因 ,头痛程度与出血部位无关。     

Vessel-wall MRI in thunderclap headache: A useful tool to answer the riddle?

BackgroundFinding an intracranial aneurysm (IA) during a thunderclap headache (TCH) attack, represents a problem because it is necessary to distinguish whether the aneurysm is responsible for the headache as a warning leak or as an incidental finding. High-Resolution Vessel-Wall (HRVW) MRI sequences have been proposed to assess the stability of the wall, as it permits to detect the presence of aneurysmal wall enhancement (AWE). In fact, AWE has been confirmed due to inflammation, recognizable preceding rupture.Case 1: A 37-year-old woman with a migraine more intense than her usual. A CTA revealed a 10 mm AComA aneurysm without subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and HRVW-MRI excluded AWE. The patient’s headache improved, and therefore, the aneurysm was considered an incidental finding, and the headache diagnosed as TCH attack. Subsequently, the aneurysm was surgically clipped, and typical migraine relapsed was reported at follow-up (FU).Case 2: A 67-year-old woman with no history of headaches underwent CTA for an abrupt onset of headache. A 7 mm right carotid-ophthalmic aneurysm with no sign of SAH was discovered. HRVW-MRI demonstrated AWE and thus, a TCH attack for a warning leak of an unstable wall was suspected. Endovascular coiling was immediately performed and at FU any further headache attack was reported.ConclusionsHRVW-MRI is useful in case of finding aneurysm as the cause of headaches, particularly the TCH attack. In fact, HRVW-MRI could assess the stability of the aneurysms wall, allowing different patient management and eventually the aneurysmal treatment.     

Phaeochromocytoma-induced myocarditis mimicking acute myocardial infarction

A 44-year-old woman presented with sudden onset of chest pain, headache and nausea. Physical examination was remarkable for mild hypotension and tachycardia. ECG demonstrated sinus tachycardia with poor R wave progression in precordial leads and T wave inversion in leads V1-3. Cardiac enzymes were raised. Echocardiographic examination revealed normal cavity diameters with basal and mid left ventricular hypokinesia and an ejection fraction of 45%. A diagnosis of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction was made. A few orthostatic hypotensive attacks occurred at follow-up. A coronary angiogram showed normal coronary arteries. Within a few days, the echocardiographic findings, ECG and all cardiac markers had returned to normal. Two months later she presented with headache, palpitation, fever, neck swelling, flushing and hypertensive attacks. Phaeochromocytoma was diagnosed on the basis of increased metanephrine on urinalysis and a left suprarenal mass on CT scan.     

Acute Headache of Recent Onset and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Prospective Study

SYNOPSIS
Twenty-seven patients with acute severe headache of recent onset were prospectively recruited in the Emergency Room. Mean duration of headache was 61 hours. CT scan disclosed subarachnoid bleeding in 4 patients and spinal tap revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in 5 patients with normal CT scan. In most SAH cases pain was bilateral, very intense and involving the occipital region. Four of these patients had doubtful or no nuchal rigidity and in one, pain improved while in the Emergency Room.
In every case with an intense acute severe headache of recent onset CT scan and (if normal) a lumbar puncture are warranted to help rule out a SAH.     

蛛网膜下腔出血炎性抑制与头痛的相关性研究

目的 :探讨蛛网膜下腔出血 (SAH)头痛的发生机制是否与 SAH时炎性改变有关 ,同时观察地塞米松的免疫抑制作用对头痛的疗效。方法 :选择意识清醒能主诉头痛者 ,凡病情严重伴有意识障碍以及继发大面积脑梗死伴有痴呆不能主诉头痛者除外。将患者随机分为 4组治疗 :单独应用甘露醇治疗头痛 (甘露醇组 )及在甘露醇应用的基础上行脑脊液置换 (置换组 )、地塞米松鞘内注射 (鞘内组 )和静脉注射 (静脉组 ) ,对比观察 4个组的止痛效果。结果 :根据疗效判定标准 ,各组总有效率分别是 :甘露醇组 2 7.2 7%、置换组 6 6 .6 7%、鞘内组92 .36 %、静脉组 30 .0 0 % ,鞘内组与其它组比较均有显著统计学意义 (P均 <0 .0 1) ,其头痛缓解时间显著延长。结论 :鞘内注射地塞米松治疗 SAH头痛效果显著 ,表明发生质变的血性脑脊液引起蛛网膜下腔广泛的免疫炎性反应是导致头痛的重要原因。     

Chronic daily headache: When to suspect meningitis

Millions of patients see physicians each year for headache, most of which are primary headaches. However, serious secondary headaches, such as meningitis, represent about 5% of children and 1% to 2% of adults seen in the emergency department for headache. A primary care or emergency department physician may initially miss individuals with bacterial meningitis. Considering meningitis as a headache cause is important because delay in the diagnosis may have adverse consequences. A careful history and physical examination are central in identifying individuals at high risk for meningitis. This article lists information that can be obtained from the patient that may be indicative of meningitis. Performing a lumbar puncture with appropriate examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the key to establishing the diagnosis of meningitis. This article also includes the types of meningitis that should be considered when the CSF demonstrates a pleocytosis.     

原因不明的蛛网膜下腔出血

病因不明的蛛网膜下腔出血约占１６－２０％。本文报告２０例。患才均无高血压病史。临床上以突发头痛、脑膜刺激征阳性及常伴低钠血症为其特征。ＣＴ扫描出血主要在中脑周围。全脑血管造影排除动脉瘤及ＡＶＭ。腰穿检查血性及脊液确诊。采用反复腰穿、尼莫地平等非手术治疗。预后良好。     

The Role of Computed Tomography in the Diagnostic Work‐Up of Headache Patients in Nigeria

Objective.— To determine the yield of computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain in the evaluation of patients presenting with headache at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Background.— Headache is a pain in the head or upper neck. It is one of the most common locations of pain in the body that leads patients to see a physician. CT scan is invaluable as an imaging tool in assessment of intracranial lesions that may present with headache. Methods.— The records of all the patients referred from a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings to the radiology department of UPTH with the main complaint of headache for brain (CT) scan were identified. Data extracted include referral source, indication for CT, age, sex, presenting complaint, duration of headache, and CT findings. The data were analyzed using SPSS 14.0 statistical package. Results.— A total of 80 patients with chronic or recurrent headache met the selection criteria. The age range was 16 to 85 years with a mean of 39.8 ± 14.62 years. There were 36 males and 44 females with male to female ratio of 1 : 1.2. About half of the patients were ≤45 years. Of the total number, 72 (90%) patients had normal CT findings, 2 (2.5%) had cerebral atrophy, 2 (2.5%) had cerebral edema, 2 (2.5%) had intracerebral hematoma while 1 (1.25%) patient each had cerebral infarction and subdural hematoma, respectively. There was no case of brain tumor. Conclusions.— The yield of correctable abnormalities from routine CT scan of the brain in headache patients with normal neurologic findings is low and does not justify its use in a resource poor country. (Headache 2010;50:1346‐1352)     

Familial Hemiplegic Migraine: A New Case

SYNOPSIS
The definition of familial hemiplegic migraine is still unsettled. We report the case of a young man who has had hemiplegic migraine attacks for ten years. CT of the brain was abnormal with a low density in the temporal lobe, suggesting infarction and probably having no relation to the attacks. There was a clear family history of hemiplegic migraine, possibly with the same type of attack. Ergotamine tartrate seemed to be effective in preventing headache. This case challenges the current clinical definition of familial hemiplegic migraine, in that while the attack pattern was hereditary, the hemiplegia occurred as an aura rather than accompanying and outlasting the headache.     

Can Computed Tomography Angiography of the Brain Replace Lumbar Puncture in the Evaluation of Acute‐onset Headache After a Negative Noncontrast Cranial Computed Tomography Scan?

Objectives: The primary goal of evaluation for acute‐onset headache is to exclude aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Noncontrast cranial computed tomography (CT), followed by lumbar puncture (LP) if the CT is negative, is the current standard of care. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the brain has become more available and more sensitive for the detection of cerebral aneurysms. This study addresses the role of CT/CTA versus CT/LP in the diagnostic workup of acute‐onset headache. Methods: This article reviews the recent literature for the prevalence of SAH in emergency department (ED) headache patients, the sensitivity of CT for diagnosing acute SAH, and the sensitivity and specificity of CTA for cerebral aneurysms. An equivalence study comparing CT/LP and CT/CTA would require 3,000 + subjects. As an alternative, the authors constructed a mathematical probability model to determine the posttest probability of excluding aneurysmal or arterial venous malformation (AVM) SAH with a CT/CTA strategy. Results: SAH prevalence in ED headache patients was conservatively estimated at 15%. Representative studies reported CT sensitivity for SAH to be 91% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 82% to 97%) and sensitivity of CTA for aneurysm to be 97.9% (95% CI = 88.9% to 99.9%). Based on these data, the posttest probability of excluding aneurysmal SAH after a negative CT/CTA was 99.43% (95% CI = 98.86% to 99.81%). Conclusions: CT followed by CTA can exclude SAH with a greater than 99% posttest probability. In ED patients complaining of acute‐onset headache without significant SAH risk factors, CT/CTA may offer a less invasive and more specific diagnostic paradigm. If one chooses to offer LP after CT/CTA, informed consent for LP should put the pretest risk of a missed aneurysmal SAH at less than 1%. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:444–451 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine     

Subarachnoid hemorrhage diagnosis by computed tomography and lumbar puncture: Are fifth generation CT scanners better at identifying subarachnoid hemorrhage?

This study sought to determine the sensitivity and specificity of modern computed tomography (CT) scans for the diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). No studies have been done recently with fifth generation CT scanners to look at the diagnosis of SAH. A retrospective chart review was done of Emergency Department (ED), laboratory, and hospital records at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, North Carolina over 1 year from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002. Patients presented with headache and had a CT scan of the head with a fifth generation multi-detector CT scanner followed by a lumbar puncture (LP) to rule out SAH. There were 177 patients who presented to the ED with headache and went on to have a CT scan and an LP to rule out SAH. No patients who had a negative CT were found to have a subarachoid hemorrhage. It is concluded that fifth generation CT scanners are probably more sensitive than earlier scanners at detecting SAH.     

短暂性脑缺血发作患者经颅多普勒超声和CT检查结果比较

背景短暂性脑缺血发作是完全性脑卒中的危险因素.通过影像学和超声等检测手段早期发现短暂性脑缺血发作并及时干预以防止发展为完全性脑卒中.目的比较经颅多普勒超声和CT检查对短暂性脑缺血发作的早期评估价值.设计病例分析.单位一所区级医院神经内科、CT室、经颅多普勒超声室.对象赤峰市元宝山区医院2001-01/2003-04门诊和住院的短暂性脑缺血发作患者30例,男22例,女8例;年龄26～85岁,平均年龄59.6岁.干预短暂性脑缺血发作患者30例住院后均给予常规量活血通脉、肝素或低分子肝素钙治疗,所有入选患者均行头颅CT检查,并采用经颅多普勒超声诊断系统检测双侧颈内动脉、椎基底动脉的收缩期流速舒张期流速、平均血流速度及脉动指数等有关动力学的情况.通过随访1个月和1年观察发生脑梗死情况.主要观察指标①头颅CT检查结果.②经颅多普勒超声检查结果.③30例患者随访1个月和1年发生脑梗死情况.结果在出院后1个月和1年时30例患者全部获得随访.①CT检查10例有病灶性改变,占34%(10/30).②经颅多普勒超声检查24例有血流异常改变,占80%(24/30).③30例应用肝素或低分子肝素钙治疗的短暂性脑缺血发作患者,1个月之内发生脑梗死4例,1个月～1年发生脑梗死6例.结论对于短暂性脑缺血发作患者,经颅多普勒超声检查发现血流异常情况早于CT检查,短暂性脑缺血发作后要及早给予抗凝治疗,可使短暂性脑缺血发作再发率减少,预防完全性脑卒中的发生.     

Diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage in the emergency department

To decide which patients with headache ought to be evaluated for SAH, physicians should focus on specific elements of the patient history, such as onset, severity, and quality of the headache and associated symptoms. These questions should be asked and the responses documented for every patient with a headache. The physical examination should be compulsive with regard to vital signs, HEENT. and neurologic signs. Then, the physician should form an explicit differential diagnosis and have reasons for diagnosing migraine, tension, or sinus headache and other benign causes. If there is no clear-cut alternative hypothesis, the patient should be evaluated by CT and LP (if the CT is negative, equivocal, or technically inadequate). Physicians should understand the limitations of this diagnostic algorithm. In addition, the CSF should be carefully analyzed, including measuring the opening pressure. In patients whose CT scans and CSF analyses are normal, further testing is rarely indicated.