%0 Journal Article
%T Hemicrania Continua: An Update.
%A Al-Khazali HM
%A Christensen RH
%A Lambru G
%A Dodick DW
%A Ashina H
%J Curr Pain Headache Rep
%V 27
%N 10
%D 2023 Oct 11
%M 37566220
%F 3.904
%R 10.1007/s11916-023-01156-9
%X OBJECTIVE: Hemicrania Continua (HC) is a rare and disabling primary headache disorder that is characterized by persistent, unilateral headache with ipsilateral, cranial autonomic symptoms and restlessness or agitation. The diagnosis requires patients to experience an absolute response to therapeutic doses of indomethacin.
RESULTS: HC is diagnosed in in about 1.8% of adult patients who were evaluated for headache in tertiary care services, albeit this estimate should be interpreted with caution. The most prevalent accompanying symptoms appear to be lacrimation, conjunctival injection and restlessness or agitation. However, the available literature is limited by methodologic issues, and the current diagnostic criteria lack clarity on what defines absolute response to indomethacin. More rigorous studies are thus needed to improve our understanding of HC which, in turn, will facilitate better disease management in clinical practice. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of HC, including its epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and management.