Cervicogenic Headache ‐ The Clinical Picture, Radiological Findings and Hypotheses on Its Pathophysiology

Abstract

SYNOPSIS The clinical picture of 15 patients with “cervicogenic headache” is presented. The patients suffered from constant one‐sided headaches, upon which were superimposed acute attacks. The pain could be precipitated and intensified mechanically. It was accompanied in one third of the patients by ipsilateral lacrimation, conjunctival injection, lid edema and visual blurring. Other concomitant symptoms were phono‐ and photophobia, nausea and vomiting. A C2 blockade always led to temporary pain relief.Routine X‐rays of the cervical spine and functional radio‐graphs in flexion and extension did not reveal any findings specific for cervicogenic headache when compared to 18 control subjects. Hypotheses on the pathophysiology of cervicogenic headache are presented.