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Epicrania fugax (EF) was recently classified as a primary headache in the Appendix of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition (ICHD-III). It is characterized by a paroxysmal pain rapidly radiating forward or backward along a linear or zigzag trajectory on the surface of the head. This article reports a 76-year-old woman who newly developed a paroxysmal EF-type pain distributed not only in the territories of the trigeminal and occipital nerves, but also in the territories of the cervical and thoracic nerves. This EF-type pain started in a point on the prethoracic area, radiated along the ipsilateral neck, face, auditory canal, and head surface in a linear trajectory, and finally initiated attacks of nervus intermedius neuralgia (NIN) and migraine without aura (MWA). Treatment with a low dose of carbamazepine was associated with decreased intensity of EF-type pain and fewer NIN and MWA attacks, while a higher dose of carbamazepine was associated with complete termination of EF-type pain and NIN and MWA attacks. This case report expands the clinical spectrum of EF and may also be helpful in understanding its pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We aim to report 4 patients with brief pain paroxysms whose clinical features remind of typical epicrania fugax (EF), except for the direction along a transverse trajectory. Background EF has been defined as a brief paroxysmal head pain, with stabbing quality, describing a linear or zig-zag trajectory across the surface of one hemicranium. Methods We considered all patients attending the headache outpatient office at 3 tertiary hospitals from March 2008 to December 2015. We identified a total of 4 cases with dynamic pain paroxysms moving in coronal direction. Results The mean age at onset was 49 years (range 34-75). All the patients suffered a dynamic pain from parietal or temporal areas to the contralateral ones, crossing the midline in a linear or zig zag trajectory, the entire sequence lasting 2-3 seconds. No triggers were identified. One patient noticed mild interictal tenderness at the stemming point. The frequency of the attacks varied from 2 per week to 1 every 2 months. No underlying disorders were identified by physical and neurological exams and neuroimaging and laboratory tests. Conclusions Our patients presented with a paroxysmal head pain that might correspond to a transverse variant of EF. These observations may not only expand the EF phenotype but also reinforce the distinction between EF and pericranial neuralgias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy (RPON), formerly named ophthalmoplegic migraine (OM), is a rare condition characterized by the association of unilateral headaches and the ipsilateral oculomotor nerve palsy. The third cranial nerve is most commonly involved in the recurrent attacks. But it is still debated whether a migraine or an oculomotor neuropathy may be the primary cause of this disorder. Here, we report an elder patient who had a recurrent ophthalmoplegia starting with an unilateral headache circumscribed in an area shaped in a line linking the posterior-parietal region and the ipsilateral eye. And the headache had couple of features similar to that of migraine, such as past history of recurrent migraine attacks, accompaniments of nausea, vomiting, and phonophobia, response to flunarizine and sodium valproate. We may herein report a subtype of OM but not a RPON. This case report indicates that OM may exist as an entity and some OM may be wrongly grouped under the category of RPON in the current international headache classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 April 2010 to December 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 International Classification of Headache Disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epicrania fugax (EF) has been recently described as a paroxysmal head pain starting in a focal cranial area of the posterior scalp and rapidly spreading forward to the ipsilateral eye or nose along a linear or zigzag trajectory. Here we report two patients presenting with the same clinical features, except for the starting site and the direction of the pain. Unilateral pain paroxysms occurred on either side of the head, with a quick backward radiation along a linear trajectory. The pain always stemmed from a particular point located at the fronto-parietal region, and reached the parieto-occipital region in several seconds. The symptoms did not fit any of the acknowledged headaches and neuralgias, and might correspond to a reverse variant of EF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]