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Biomedical subjects

C J Boes

Publications and source records attributed to C J Boes.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

The paroxysmal hemicrania-tic syndrome.

Two cases of paroxysmal hemicrania (PH) associated with trigeminal neuralgia are reviewed. The paroxysmal hemicrania component in one patient was episodic, while it was chronic in the other. Each headache type responded completely to separate treatment, highlighting the importance of recognizing this association. We review the six other cases of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania-tic (CPH-tic) reported, and suggest that the term paroxysmal hemicrania-tic syndrome (PH-tic) be used to describe this association.

Aged↗

Placebo adverse events in headache trials: headache as an adverse event of placebo.

We analysed the adverse events of placebo in acute and preventive randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies for migraine treatment. Fifty-seven trials (oral triptans, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, nasal ergot alkaloids and preventive agents) were included. From 10 to 30% of subjects reported adverse events after placebo. Most common were features associated with a migraine attack, such as nausea, phono- and photophobia. Other frequent complaints resembled those of the active drug (e.g. chest pressure in triptan trials). A third group of adverse events appeared to be coincidental (e.g. sleep disturbance). Adverse events following placebo are probably related to the drug under study and the symptomatology of migraine; some have no obvious explanation.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Wilfred Harris' early description of cluster headache.

Wilfred Harris was a London neurologist with a significant interest in the treatment of neuralgia. Harris' descriptions of what he called migrainous neuralgia were the first recorded of cluster headache in the English medical literature. He was probably one of the first to describe the cluster phenomenon itself and the effectiveness of ergotamine in treating acute attacks of cluster headache. His seminal contributions to the clinical and therapeutic spectrum of cluster headache are reviewed.

Anatomy, Comparative↗

Benign cough headache.

Benign cough headache is an uncommon primary headache disorder marked by short-lasting attacks of pain triggered by coughing. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain is required to assure that the cough headache is truly benign. The aetiology of the pain is unclear, but is probably associated with the brief increased intracranial pressure that attends coughing. We have reviewed the clinical features, aetiology, differential diagnosis, management, and prognosis of benign cough headache.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Zolmitriptan: differences from sumatriptan.

Zolmitriptan is a potent 5-HT(1B/1D) agonist whose targets include the peripheral and central components of the trigeminovascular system. It is generally well-tolerated and has dose-dependent efficacy in the treatment of migraine. The 2.5 mg dose is felt to provide the best balance between efficacy and adverse events. In a direct comparative study, the 2 h headache response rate for zolmitriptan 2.5 mg was statistically superior to sumatriptan 25 and 50 mg, although at 3.3% not clinically significant. Two comparative studies have found no difference in adverse event frequency between zolmitriptan and sumatriptan.

Cluster Headache↗

Stereotactic breast biopsy: initial experience and recommendations for improvement.

The results of 54 stereotactic core breast biopsies performed at Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital were reviewed. In 47 biopsies (87% of the total), a definitive diagnosis of either benign or malignant was made. Two biopsies (4% of the total) were classified as missed, and 5 biopsies (9% of the total) were deemed indeterminate. To improve both the success of the procedure and patient management, six recommendations were made: Patients judged to be potentially uncooperative and inclined to move during the procedure should receive sedation. A post-biopsy, non-stereo film should be taken to determine whether additional stereotactic biopsies will be required to adequately sample the lesion. Lesions containing microcalcifications should have a specimen radiograph prior to completing the biopsy procedure. A history sheet including clinical and mammographic findings should be given to pathology along with the biopsy specimen to assist in the histologic interpretation. The radiologist should review the pathology results in order to determine if a miss has occurred and additional biopsy is indicated. Six-month follow-up mammograms are to be required following a benign stereotactic biopsy diagnosis.

Biopsy↗

Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania presenting as otalgia with a sensation of external acoustic meatus obstruction: two cases and a pathophysiologic hypothesis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe two cases of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania manifested by otalgia with a sensation of external acoustic meatus obstruction and to suggest that the trigeminal-autonomic reflex is a mechanism for the sensation of ear blockage. BACKGROUND: Maximum pain in chronic paroxysmal hemicrania is most often in the ocular, temporal, maxillary, and frontal regions. It is less often located in the nuchal, occipital, and retro-orbital areas. Review of the literature on chronic paroxysmal hemicrania found no reports of pain primarily localized to the ear and associated with a sensation of external acoustic meatus obstruction. METHODS: The history, physical examination, imaging studies, and successful treatment plan in two patients with otalgia and ear fullness and a subsequent diagnosis of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania are summarized. RESULTS: The first patient was a 42-year-old woman with a 10-year history of unilateral, severe, paroxysmal otalgia occurring five times a day with a duration of 2 to 60 minutes. During an attack, the ear became erythematous and the external acoustic meatus felt obstructed. There were no other associated autonomic signs. The second patient was a 49-year-old woman with a 3-year history of unilateral, severe, paroxysmal otalgia occurring 4 to 15 times a day with a duration of 3 to 10 minutes. During an attack, her ear felt obstructed, and she noted ipsilateral eyelid edema and ptosis. Both patients quickly became pain-free after taking indomethacin and required its continued use to prevent headache recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania may be manifested by otalgia with a sensation of external ear obstruction. When the otalgia is paroxysmal, unilateral, severe, frequent, and associated with autonomic signs, one should consider the diagnosis of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, especially because of the prompt response to indomethacin. The most important feature to consider when making the diagnosis of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania is the frequent periodicity of discrete, brief attacks of unilateral cephalgia separated by pain-free intervals. It is hypothesized that the sensation of ear obstruction in these patients is due to swelling of the external acoustic meatus mediated through increased blood flow by the trigeminal-autonomic reflex.

Adult↗