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Stephen D. Silberstein, MD; Mario F. P. Peres, MD

Arch Neurol. 2002;59:1029-1030.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

INTRODUCTION

Hemicrania continua (HC) is a rare, indomethacin-responsive headache disorder characterized by a continuous, moderate to severe unilateral headache that varies in intensity, waxing and waning without disappearing completely.¹ It is frequently associated with jabs and jolts (idiopathic stabbing headache). Exacerbation of pain is often associated with autonomic disturbances such as ptosis, miosis, tearing, and sweating. Although HC is not triggered by neck movements, tender spots in the neck may be present. It may be accompanied by photophobia, phonophobia, and nausea. This disorder almost invariably has a prompt and enduring response to indomethacin. Because some cases do not respond to indomethacin but meet the phenotype, an alternate means of diagnosis has been suggested.²

EARLIEST DESCRIPTIONS

Until recently, the diagnosis of HC was based solely on the clinical response to indomethacin; however, unilateral or one-sided headaches have been described for centuries. The earliest recognition of . . . [Full Text of this Article]

CLINICAL FEATURES

ASSOCIATED SYMPTOMS

TREATMENT AND PROGNOSIS

From the Jefferson Headache Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.
Dr Silberstein is a consultant for and/or receives funding from Abbott, Allergan, AstraZeneca, BristolMyers Squibb, Elan, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Merck, OrthoMcNeil, ParkeDavis, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, and Vernalis.