Symptomatic cervicogenic headache

R. Delfini¹, M. Salvati², E. Passacantilli¹, E. Pacciani³

¹Chair of Neurotraumatology, Dept. of Neurological Sciences; ²Department of Neurosurgery, Inm Neuromed, Pozzilli (Is), University of Rome “La Sapienza”; ³Ospedale Pediatrico Bambin Gesù, Presidio Di Palidoro (Roma).

ABSTRACT
Cervicogenic headache is a little-known clinical condition whose true importance has only recently been recognized. A number of causes may lie at the basis of the onset of headache (symptomatic cervicogenic headache). However, despite exhaustive attempts, sometimes it is not possible to identify a clear cause responsible for the onset of the syndrome (primitive cervicogenic headache). The genesis of symptomatic cervicogenic headaches sometimes may be easy to identify as a result of a close, pre-existing, cause-effect relationship (i.e. trauma). On other occasions it may be much more laborious to pinpoint the pathology responsible for headache (some cranio-cervical anomalies, etc.). Clinically, it is necessary to perform a thorough preliminary clinical and anamnestic evaluation which can orient subsequent investigations to achieve a diagnosis in the least time possible with the minimum discomfort to the patient and his relatives, not to mention lower costs for society.

Key words
Cephalea, cervicogenic headache, MRI, CT-scan, spinal trauma, spinal tumours, Arnold-Chiari malformation, spondylitis.

Please address correspondence and reprint requests to: Maurizio Salvati, MD, Neurotraumatology, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico, 00100 Rome (Italy).

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2000: 18 (Suppl. 19): S29-S32.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2000.