Neurol. praxi. 2010;11(4):250-255

Cervicogenic headache

MUDr.Miloslav Dvorák, PhD., MUDr.Martin Šimo

Neurologické oddelenie NsP Spišská Nová Ves

Headache is a very common problem neurologists encounter in their clinical practices. Differential diagnostic considerations commonly include

the question whether or not the headache has a cervicogenic basis. The answer to this question is very complex since the pathophysio logy

and diagnostic criteria are unclear, positive neuroimaging findings in the cervical area are common and tension and migraine headache may

be involved; all these may contribute to overdiagnosing cervicogenic headache. The paper deals with cervicogenic headache and "cervical

migraine", a clinically controversial clinical entity. Migraine is a primary headache disorder and cervicogenic headache is a secondary

headache disorder according to the 2004 International Classification of Headache Disorders coded as 11. 2. 1 cervicogenic/vertebrogenic

headache. Primary headache disorders have no known organic basis; the very problem is the headache itself and the mechanisms of their

origin are only partially known. The classification system is descriptive in which the individual types of headache disorders are classified

based on their manifestations. These headache disorders have a recurrent nature, recurring in various intervals, and the headache attacks

vary in their duration and character. In secondary headache disorders, including cervicogenic headache, the pain is a manifestation of an

organic disease of the central but also peripheral nervous system, or other organs or systems. Therefore, cervicogenic headache can be

classified according to the aetiology with the classification based on the cause of the complaint.

Keywords: cervicogenic headache, treatment, classification

Published: October 1, 2010  Show citation