Yield of brain imaging among neurologically normal children with headache on wakening or headache waking the patient from sleep

Background

Headache on wakening (HoW) or sleep interruption secondary to headache (SIH) has been commonly regarded as a potential sign of raised intracranial pressure and therefore a sign of significant underlying pathology that necessitates further investigation. Current recommendations for neuroimaging in patients with HoW/SIH are neither consistent nor clear across headache guidelines published both nationally and internationally.

Aim

The main aim of this study was to ascertain the relevance of HoW and/or SIH as an indication for routine neuroimaging.

Methods

This study focused on clinically well patients with normal neurological examinations who had experienced HoW or SIH. Demographic and neuroradiological data were collected prospectively and the headache diagnosis was based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders.

Results

102/1065 patients reported either HoW and/or SIH. There were 57/102 (56%) females, 45/102 males (44%), and 33/102 (32%) of ethnic minority. Their age ranged between 5 and 17 years. 79/102 (77%) patients with HoW, 19/102 (19%) with SIH and 4/102 (4%) with both HoW and SIH. Headache diagnosis included migraine (n = 67; 66%), tension type headaches (n = 16; 16%), medication overuse headaches (n = 11; 11%), and sinusitis (n = 1; 1%). Neuroimaging was performed in 101/102 patients; imaging was normal for 97 scanned patients, and showed non-significant abnormality in the remaining 4 patients.

Conclusion

HoW or SIH among clinically well and neurologically normal paediatric patients was most likely to be caused by primary headaches, particularly migraine or tension type headaches. This symptom alone among healthy and clinically well children is not an indication for routine neuroimaging and is unlikely to be caused by sinister aetiologies.