Two More Secondary Headaches Mimicking Chronic Paroxysmal Hemicrania. Is This the Exception or the Rule?

Abstract

Two patients with headaches meeting the criteria of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, as defined by the International Headache Society classification, are presented. Further investigations revealed a parasellar pituitary microadenoma in the first patient and a maxillary cyst in the second. Surgical removal of the lesions resulted in complete relief from headaches. The clinical features of this rare syndrome are discussed and suggest that a more detailed laboratory study and clinical follow-up is necessary in patients with chronic paroxysmal hemicrania.