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Query: UMLS:C0018681 (headache)
 56,091 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, Aspirin) is among the most used drugs worldwide. At present, Aspirin represents a quite versatile drug employed in the control of pain symptomatologies and in situations such as prevention of both ischaemic stroke and cardiovascular events. Aspirin causes inhibition of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis by inactivation of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme. ASA constitutes the focus of new researches explaining more widely Aspirin's control of inflammation. The induction of the endogenous epimers lipoxins (Aspirin-triggered 15-epi-lipoxins, ATLs) represents one of the most recent achievements. This particular feature of Aspirin is not shared by other NSAIDs. ASA is well known as a headache medication, figuring as a possible treatment choice in tension-type headache but also in acute migraine attacks. Furthermore, a new Aspirin formulation with a greater rapidity of action has been introduced. In conclusion, little information exists on the subject and more studies are required.
J Headache Pain 2007 Feb
PMID:Aspirin and tension-type headache. 1719 17

Susac's syndrome (SS) consists of the clinical triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusions (BRAO) and hearing loss. It is due to a microangiopathy affecting the precapillary arterioles of the brain, retina, and inner ear (cochlea and semicircular canals). Women are more commonly affected than men (3:1); the age of onset ranges from 9 to 58 years; but young women between the ages of 20 and 40 are most vulnerable. The encephalopathy is almost always accompanied by headache which may be the presenting feature. Multifocal neurological signs and symptoms, psychiatric disturbances, cognitive changes, memory loss, and confusion may rapidly progress to dementia. The MRI shows a distinctive white matter disturbance that always affects the corpus callosum. The central callosal fibers are particularly vulnerable and central callosal holes develop as the active lesions resolve. Linear defects (spokes) and rather large round lesions (snowballs) sometime dominate the MRI findings, which include cortical, deep gray (70%) and leptomeningeal involvement (33%). Frequently, the lesions enhance and may be evident on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). The BRAO are best evaluated with fluorescein angiography, which may show the pathognomonic multifocal fluorescence. Gass plaques are frequently present and reflect endothelial damage. Brain biopsy shows microinfarction to be the basic pathology, but more recent pathological studies have shown endothelial changes that are typical for an antiendothelial cell injury syndrome. Elevated levels of Factor VIII and von Willebrand Factor Antigen reflect the endothelial perturbation. Despite extensive evaluations, a procoagulant state has never been demonstrated. SS is an autoimmune endotheliopathy that requires treatment with immunosuppressants: steroids, cyclophosphamide, and intravenous immunoglobulin, usually in combination. Aspirin is a useful adjunct.
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PMID:Susac's syndrome: 1975-2005 microangiopathy/autoimmune endotheliopathy. 1733 44

Migraine is often associated with health consequences including impaired quality of life, and the cost of treating migraine headaches places a significant financial burden on patients who suffer from migraines. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and triptans are commonly used for the treatment of acute migraine attacks. Aspirin is widely accepted as a treatment option for migraine pain relief and could provide an alternative not only for treatment of moderate migraine attacks, but also for severe migraine attacks. The efficacy and safety of 1,000 mg effervescent aspirin (eASA) was evaluated in comparison to 50 mg sumatriptan and placebo in an individual patient data meta-analysis of three randomized, placebo-controlled, single- dose migraine trials. Pain-relief at 2 h, pain-free at 2 h and sustained pain-free up to 24 h were calculated. For eASA, the response rates were 51.5 % (95 % CI: 46.6-56.5 %), 27.1 % (95 % CI: 22.6-31.4 %), and 23.5 % (95 % CI: 19.3-27.7 %). For sumatriptan, the response rates were 46.6 % (95% CI: 40.0-53.2 %), 29% (95 % CI: 23.0-34.9 %), and 22.2 % (95 % CI: 16.7-27.6 %). The corresponding rates for placebo were 33.9 % (95% CI: 29.1-38.6 %), 15.1 % (95 % CI: 11.5-18.7 %), and 14.6 % (95 % CI: 11.0-18.1 %). The treatment effect of eASA and sumatriptan were significantly different from placebo (p < 0.001), but differences between eASA and sumatriptan were not significant. The remission of accompanying symptoms and the subgroup analyses of patients with moderate or severe migraine pain at baseline revealed no significant differences between eASA and sumatriptan. Safety was evaluated based on the frequency of reported adverse events, and treatment with eASA was associated with lower incidence of adverse events than was with sumatriptan. This individual patient data meta-analysis provided evidence that eASA 1,000 mg is as effective as sumatriptan 50mg for the treatment of acute migraine attacks and has a better side effect profile. This is also true for patients with moderate as well as severe headache at baseline. Patients therefore should be advised to use eASA first for migraine attacks and use a triptan in case of no response.
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PMID:Efficacy and safety of 1,000 mg effervescent aspirin: individual patient data meta-analysis of three trials in migraine headache and migraine accompanying symptoms. 1740 76

We tested the hypothesis that 5 cm H2O of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) reduces the incidence of pneumocephalus in patients who undergo spinal intradural tumor surgery. Fifty-three ASA I to III patients who underwent thoracolumbar intradural tumor surgery between the years 2003 and 2006 were included in this study. All patients received propofol, fentanyl, and cisatracurium for induction of the anesthesia. Maintenance was provided by propofol infusion and, oxygen (50%) and air (50%). Group I (n=28) did not receive PEEP whereas group II (n=25) received PEEP as 5 cm H2O. Cranial computerized tomography was taken at 8 hours after the surgery and cases were evaluated for pneumocephalus using BAB Bs200ProP Image System software. Pneumocephalus areas between 0.03 and 4.24 cm2 were observed in 9 patients, 8 in group I and 1 patient in group II at the 8th postoperative hour, at various localizations. There were no neurologic findings in other patients except for 2 patients in group I who presented with headache and mental status change. Although the cerebrospinal fluid leakage is minimal, N2O is not used and the patients are well hydrated, pneumocephalus with neurologic deficits may occur in patients undergoing microsurgical spinal intradural tumor surgery in prone position. In our study, we showed that using 5 cm H2O PEEP perioperatively reduced the risk of pneumocephalus. However, more cases must be studied to support this hypothesis.
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PMID:Positive end-expiratory pressure reduces pneumocephalus in spinal intradural tumor surgery. 1759 46

Extended spinal anaesthesia using a spinal micro-catheter was used as a primary method of anaesthesia for elective colorectal cancer surgery in 68 high risk patients over a 14-year period in our institution. The technique was also useful in eight elective and 13 emergency abdominal surgeries. All patients suffered from severe chronic obstructive airway disease requiring multiple inhalers and drugs (ASA III). Thirty nine of these patients also suffered from angina, myocardial infarction, diabetes and other systemic diseases (ASA IV). Surgery included right hemicolectomy, left hemicolectomy, total colectomy, sigmoid colectomy, Hartman's resection, anterior resection of rectum, abdominoperineal resection, cholecystectomy (open and laparoscopic) and obstructed inguinal hernia requiring laparotomy. Spinal anaesthesia was performed under strict aseptic conditions with a 22 gauge spinal needle with a mixture consisting of 2.75ml of 0.5% heavy bupivacaine and 0.25ml of fentanyl (25microg). This was followed by placement of a spinal micro-catheter and the duration of anaesthesia was extended by intermittent injection of 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine. Brief hypotension occurred in 12.4% of patients during the establishment of anaesthetic block height to T6-7 and was duly treated with intravenous administration of fluid and ephedrine hydrochloride. Good anaesthesia resulted in all patients except for brief discomfort in some patients during hemicolectomy surgery possibly due to the dissection and traction on the peritoneum causing irritation to the diaphragm. The use of sedation was avoided. General anaesthesia was administered in one patient and this patient required postoperative ventilation and cardiovascular support in the Intensive Care Unit. The spinal micro-catheter was removed at the end of surgery. Postoperative pain relief was obtained by administering intravenous morphine through a patient controlled analgesia machine in the critical care ward area (High Dependency Unit). There was a low incidence of minor postoperative side effects such as nausea (14.6%), vomiting (7.9%), minor post dural puncture headache (5.6%) and pruritus (5.6%). We conclude that spinal anaesthesia with a micro-catheter may be used as a primary method of anaesthesia for colorectal cancer surgery and other major abdominal surgery in high-risk patients for whom general anaesthesia would be associated with higher morbidity and mortality.
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PMID:Spinal anaesthesia with a micro-catheter in high-risk patients undergoing colorectal cancer and other major abdominal surgery. 1803 40

A 25-year-old female patient developed headache and papilledema under sulphasalazine treatment for ulcerative colitis. The patient met the International Headache Society's criteria for idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Sulphasalazine was discontinued and the patient was given azathioprine for ulcerative colitis and acetazolamide for intracranial hypertension. Three weeks later, her examination was normal and lumbar puncture revealed an opening pressure of 180-mm H(2)O. Sulphasalazine is a product of 5 aminosalicylate (5 ASA) and there seems to be a relationship between the administration of sulphasalazine and the onset of intracranial hypertension symptoms. Early diagnosis of intracranial hypertension is important in patients with ulcerative colitis receiving 5 ASA treatment to prevent visual complications.
Headache 2008 Feb
PMID:Drug induced intracranial hypertension associated with sulphasalazine treatment. 1864 79

Migraine prophylaxis is a stepwise procedure with lifestyle advice followed by consideration of medications. Patients should be advised to try to maintain a regular lifestyle, with regular sleep, meals, exercise, and management of stress, perhaps through relaxation techniques or other ways that are sensible for them. If this regimen does not adequately control their migraines, preventatives are indicated. Patients can choose between evidence-based nutraceuticals such as riboflavin, feverfew, butterbur, or coenzyme Q10, or more traditional pharmacotherapeutics. Medicine choices are somewhat limited by what is available in each country, but from the full range, the medicines of first choice are beta-adrenoceptor blockers, flunarizine, topiramate, and valproic acid. Beta-adrenoceptor blockers are particularly useful in patients also suffering from hypertension or tachycardia. Following recent studies, topiramate has become a first choice for episodic as well as chronic migraine. It is the only prophylactic drug that may lead to weight loss, but it is sometimes associated with adverse cognitive effects. Valproic acid and flunarizine also have very good prophylactic properties. However, valproic acid is often associated with adverse effects, and flunarizine is unavailable in many countries, including the United States. If sequential monotherapies are ineffective, combinations of first-line drugs should be tried before advancing to drugs of second choice, which are associated with more adverse effects or have less well-established prophylactic properties. Amitriptyline should be used carefully because of its anticholinergic effects, although it is useful in comorbid tension-type headache, depression, and sleep disorders. Methysergide is very effective, but it has been supplanted or even made unavailable in many countries because of its well-described association with retroperitoneal fibrosis. Pizotifen has a slightly better safety profile but is unavailable in the United States. Aspirin is particularly useful in patients needing platelet inhibitors for other medical conditions, but the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding must be considered. The prophylactic properties of magnesium, riboflavin, and coenzyme Q10 are low at best, but their lack of severe adverse effects makes them good treatment options. Magnesium may be particularly useful during pregnancy. Lisinopril and candesartan were shown to be effective in single trials and are preferable in patients with hypertension. Acupuncture may be another alternative; although controlled trials have failed to differentiate its effect from placebo, it is at least innocuous. Botulinum toxin A is not effective in the prophylaxis of episodic migraine.
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PMID:Update on the prophylaxis of migraine. 1832 96

The introduction of triptans in migraine treatment was apparently a revolution. Comparative randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with triptan and other drugs do not give a clear-cut picture. Oral triptans are superior to oral ergotamine most likely because the bioavailability oral of ergotamine is extremely low (<1%). Compared with NSAIDs, in most cases aspirin, triptans were not superior and in several RCTs triptans caused more adverse events than aspirin plus metoclopramide. Guidelines for treatment of migraine should be evidence-based. It is suggested that based on current evidence, effervescent aspirin should be the first-line drug for the treatment of migraine. Aspirin is also much cheaper than the triptans.
Headache 2008 Apr
PMID:Triptans vs other drugs for acute migraine. Are there differences in efficacy? A comment. 1879 8

We report the case of a 70-year-old man (ASA physical status 2) who developed massive pneumocephalus caused by a fistula between the subarachnoid and pleural spaces following a left pneumonectomy. After an uneventful immediate postoperative period, the patient was readmitted to the recovery care unit with dyspnea, intense headache, confusion, and diminished level of consciousness. Computed tomography confirmed a cerebrospinal fluid fistula secondary to the opening of the intradural space during tumor resection. Treatment was conservative, consisting of rest in a slightly Trendelenburg position, antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent meningitis, and a water seal on the thoracic drainage tube.
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PMID:[Massive pneumocephalus and cerebrospinal fluid fistula after thoracotomy]. 1898 88

This study was designed to evaluate different doses of hypobaric 0.15% bupivacaine administered to achieve unilateral orthopaedic surgery under subarachnoid block. Using a randomised, double-blinded protocol, 150 ASA I to II patients scheduled for elective unilateral orthopaedic surgery were allocated to received a subarachnoid block with hypobaric bupivacaine 0.15% 4.5 mg (3 ml) (Group 1), 6.0 mg (4 ml) (Group 2) or 7.5 mg (5 ml) (Group 3). Measurements included cardiovascular and haemodynamic stability, incidence of unilateral anaesthesia, time to recover from motor block, postoperative urinary retention, transitory neurological symptoms and postdural puncture headache. There was a dose-dependent increase in the duration of the block, from 1:55 +/- 00:20 hours (4.5 mg) to 2:15 +/- 00:22 hours (6.0 mg) and 3:15 +/- 00:31 hours (7.5 mg). The sensory block in the operated limb was significantly higher than that in the non-operated limb at all times. The increasing dose resulted in an increase of the motor block score. Seventy percent of patients had unilateral block. It was concluded that the spinal anaesthesia in all groups was suitable for single limb orthopaedic surgery. The smallest dose (4.5 mg) of hypobaric 0.15% bupivacaine resulted in more unilateral blocks, with narrower distribution and shorter duration.
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PMID:A randomised, double-blind comparison of three different volumes of hypobaric intrathecal bupivacaine for orthopaedic surgery. 1940 Apr 87


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