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Epicrania Fugax: 19 Cases of an Emerging Headache
Author(s) -
Cuadrado María Luz,
Ordás Carlos M.,
SánchezLizcano María,
CasasLimón Javier,
MatíasGuiu Jordi A.,
GarcíaGarcía María Eugenia,
FernándezMatarrubia Marta,
BarahonaHernando Raúl,
PortaEtessam Jesús
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/head.12094
Subject(s) - medicine , international classification of headache disorders , primary headache , anesthesia , physical therapy , pediatrics , migraine
Objective Epicrania fugax ( EF ) is a primary headache of recent description. We aimed to report 19 new cases of EF , and thus contribute to the characterization of this emerging headache. Background EF is characterized by painful paroxysms starting in a particular area of the head, and rapidly radiating forwards or backwards through the territories of different nerves. The pain is felt in quick motion along a lineal or zigzag trajectory. To date, 47 cases have been published, 34 with forward EF and 13 with backward EF . Methods We performed a descriptive study of all EF cases attending our Headache Unit from A pril 2010 to D ecember 2012. Demographic and clinical data were recorded with a structured questionnaire. Results Overall, there were 12 women and 7 men. Mean age at onset was 51.7 ± 16.2. Fourteen patients had forward EF , while 5 patients had backward EF . Painful paroxysms lasted 1‐4 seconds. Pain intensity was usually moderate or severe, and pain quality was mostly electric. Four patients had ocular autonomic accompaniments. Pain frequency was extremely variable, and 7 patients identified some triggers. Between attacks, 13 patients had some pain or tenderness in the stemming area. Thirteen patients required therapy for their pain. Neuromodulators, indomethacin, anesthetic blockades, and steroid injections were used in different cases, with partial or complete response. Conclusion EF appears as a distinct headache syndrome and could be eventually included in future editions of the I nternational C lassification of H eadache D isorders.