Headache at the chronic stage of cerebral venous thrombosis. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bossoni, Alexandre Souza; Peres, Mario Fernando Prieto; Leite, Claudia da Costa; Fortini, Ida; Conforto, Adriana Bastos
• Is Part Of: Cephalalgia. Volume 42:Number 14(2022)
• Page Start: 1476
• Page End: 1486
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Intracranial thrombosis -- headache disorders -- primary -- headache disorders -- secondary -- migraine disorders -- tension-type headache -- vascular headaches; Headache -- Periodicals; 616.8491
• DOI: 10.1177/03331024221113825
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0333-1024

Abstract

Background: Headache is the most frequent symptom of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) but there is limited information about the frequency and phenotype of headache, weeks to months after cerebral venous thrombosis (post-cerebral venous thrombosis headache, PCH). Objective: To assess the frequency, characteristics and predictors of PCH. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the frequency and characteristics of PCH were assessed in cerebral venous thrombosis survivors. Patients were interviewed between six months and five years after the cerebral venous thrombosis diagnosis. Clinical and imaging characteristics at the time of cerebral venous thrombosis diagnosis, as well as history of headache prior to cerebral venous thrombosis were compared in subjects with (GroupPCH ) and without PCH (Groupcontrol ). Results: Subjects (n = 100; 82% women) were assessed, on average, at 1.1 ± 1.6 years of follow-up. PCH was present in 59% of the patients, phenotypes of tension-type-like headache were present in 31/59 (52.6%) and of migraine-like headache in 16/59 (27.1%). History of primary headache prior to cerebral venous thrombosis was significantly more common (OR: 6.4; 95% CI: 1.7–36.3) in GroupPCH (33.9%) than in Groupcontrol (7.3%). Conclusion: PCH was present in more than half of the patients. History of prior headache may be a risk factor for PCH. Prospective studies are required to confirm these findings and determine mechanisms, as well as interventions for prevention and treatment of PCH.