Hemicrania continua

Abstract

Hemicrania continua was described in 1984 by Sjastaad and Spierings as a unilateral, almost always side-locked headache that is continuous and fluctuating in intensity. There are added pain exacerbation periods of varying frequency, consisting of more severe headache, of at least moderate intensity, lasting from hours to days. The condition is either absolutely responsive to indomethacin or associated with autonomic signs or idiopathic stabbing headaches (jabs and jolts) during pain exacerbations. There is a lack of precipitating mechanisms.