Ictal headache

Ictal headaches are headaches associated with seizure activity. They may occur either before (pre-ictal) or after (post-ictal) a seizure, and in rare circumstances during a seizure. Many cases of ictal headache may be misdiagnosed as migraine with aura, or even cluster headache. However, while these conditions usually involve just one side of the head (are unilateral), an ictal headache may be centrally situated or cover the entirety of the head.

Ictal headache
SpecialtyNeurology

Signs and symptoms

Severity of ictal headaches can vary from a slight pressure or "cloud" to an intensity far beyond migraine. Some have called it a "suicide headache" in the worst instances. Temporary blindness may also occur in some cases.

Symptoms besides headache may be either present or absent, and may include unusual thoughts or experiences. In these cases it is especially important to obtain a correct diagnosis. Many people with these experiences are accidentally diagnosed with conditions such as psychosis or schizophrenia and given antipsychotic medications, which may actually increase seizure activity.

Treatment and diagnosis

Ictal headaches can often be controlled with anticonvulsants.

An EEG can help lead to the correct diagnosis.[1] Even when an EEG does not prove determinative, anticonvulsants may be a first line of treatment if these symptoms are present with headache.

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See also

References
  1. Piccioli M, Parisi P, Tisei P, Villa MP, Buttinelli C, Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité DG (February 2009). "Ictal headache and visual sensitivity". Cephalalgia. 29 (2): 194–203. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2982.2008.01707.x. PMID 18823360. Archived from the original on 2013-01-05.
Classification
  • ICD-10: G44.82
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