Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE > HEADACHES AND CRANIOFACIAL PAIN > Flashcards

HEADACHES AND CRANIOFACIAL PAIN Flashcards

1
Q

What is a primary headache?

A

One where the headache and its features are the disease itself.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a secondary headache?

A

Headache is a result of another pathological process.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are some examples of primary headaches syndrome?

A

Migraines
Tension-type headaches
Cluster headaches

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are some examples of secondary headache causes?

A 
Systemic infection
Head injury
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Vascular disorders
Brain tumours
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the features of a tension-type headache?

A 
Bandlike dull headache
Scalp tenderness
Aggravated by noise and light
Lasts hours to days
No abnormal physical signs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the management options for someone experiencing tension-type headaches?

A

Physical treatment such as massage and relaxation therapy.
Simple analgesics: paracetamol, aspirin, other NSAID
When chronic (lasting more than 15 days per month): Amitriptyline

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the paradoxical causes of a tension-type headache?

A

Chronic use of analgesics such as paracetamol and opiate based painkillers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a migraine?

A

A common, often familial, condition characterised by an episodic unilateral throbbing headache.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How long does a migraine typically last?

A

4 to 72 hours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the clinical features of a migraine?

A 
Unilateral subacute throbbing
Exacerbated by movement
Vomiting/nausea
Vertigo
Photophobia
Phonophobia
Osmophobia (sensitivity to odours)
Preceded by aura
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are some of the known triggers for a migraine?

A 
Bright light
Strong smells
Loud sounds
Sleep deprivation
Sleep excess
Exercise
Tiredness
Hunger
Dehydration
Menstruation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the current theory on the underlying pathology of a migraine headache?

A

Neurovascular basis related to the release of vasoactive sustances by trigeminovascular system.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What happens to the levels of 5HT before and during a migraine attack?

A

The levels of 5HT increase with the prodromal symptoms and then fall during the headache.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the two most common subdivisions of migraine?

A

Classic - migraine with aura

Common - migraine without aura

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the commonly reported features of a migraine aura?

A

Moving lights
Fortification spectra - flickering image
Paraesthesia
Numbness in limb and face

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How long before the headache does the aura start?

A

40 minutes and lasts about 20 minutes

17
Q

What are the features of a basilar migraine?

A

Brainstem aura causes symptoms that arise from dysfunction in the territory of the posterior cerebral circulation.
Aura consist of bilateral visual symptoms, ataxia, dysarthria, vertigo, limb parasthesia and weakness.
There may be loss of consciousness before, during or after the headache.

18
Q

What are the features of a hemiplegic migraine?

A

Lateralised weakness throughout the aura and headache that can persist.
Autosomal dominant transmission in some cases.
Presentation similar to stroke or TIA and must be assumed to be such until proven otherwise.

19
Q

What are the drugs that are recommended for management of a migraine?

A

Mild: Paracetamol, NSAIDs

Moderate/severe: Triptans eg sumitriptan, almotriptan

20
Q

What drugs are not recommended for use by migraine patients?

A

Too much codeine may actually induce chronic analgesic headache.

21
Q

What are the drugs that are prescribed for management of more severe or refractory migraine attacks?

A 
5 HT agonists such as:
Sumatriptan
Naratriptan
Zolmitriptan
Rizatriptan
Eletriptan
22
Q

What drugs can be used in the prophylaxis of migraine attacks?

A 
Propanolol (beta-blocker)
Amitriptyline (tricyclic)
Pizotifen (5HT antagonist)
Sodium valproate
Verapamil (calcium antagonist)
Methysergide (5HT antagonist) - rarely used because it can cause retroperitoneal fibrosis
23
Q

What are the features of a cluster headache?

A

Severe unilateral pain
Localised around the eye
Ipsilateral autonomic features such as bloodshot eyes (conjunctival injection)
Lacrimation
Rhinorrhoea
Transient Horner’s syndrome
Lasting between 15 minutes and 3 hours
Typically occur 1 to 8 times daily in clusters lasting 8 to 10 weeks
Patient often feels like pacing around rather than lying in bed

24
Q

How long are the intervals between cluster headaches?

A

Can be several years

25
Q

Why do patients who suffer from cluster headaches need neuroimaging?

A

Because they are sometimes associated with underlying pituitary pathology.

26
Q

What are the management options for a patient suffering cluster headaches?

A

100% oxygen at 10-15L/min for 15-20 minutes
Sumatriptan injections
Sumatriptan/zolmitriptan nasal spray

27
Q

What are the prophylactic options for someone who has suffered from cluster headaches?

A

Verapamil
Lithium
Limited courses of corticosteroids
Methysergide can be used for resistant cases

28
Q

What is the really important side effect of methysergide?

A

It can cause retroperitoneal fibrosis

29
Q

What are the features of headache of raised intracranial pressure?

A

Generalised ache
Aggravated by bending, coughing or straining
Worse in the morning or after prolonged recumbency
May awaken patients
Severity gradually progresses (not sudden)
Vomiting
Visual obscurations
Papilloedema (enlarged blind spots)
Risk of herniation

30
Q

What do you do with a patient with features of raised intracranial pressure?

A

Urgent imaging of the brain with CT or MRI

31
Q

What are the features of a low pressure headache?

A

Typically following lumbar puncture or spinal surgery
No pain whilst recumbent
Headache when they sit or stand up

32
Q

What are the management options for someone suffering from low pressure headaches?

A

Bed rest
Intravenous caffeine
Autologous blood patches around the lumbar puncture site

NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE (21 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions