Headache in children - ED management

Headache is a rare chief complaint in children but more frequently seen in adolescents. ED evaluation should answer the following the questions:

• Primary or Secondary Headache?
• Needs Investigations or Imaging?
• Need for follow up with GP?

Primary headaches (Disabling): Migraine, Tension Headache, Cluster headache (and other trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias); and other primary headaches (such as cough or exertional headache). They are thought to be due to a primary malfunction of neurones. Primary headaches are typically self-limited.

Secondary headaches (a/w Morbidity and Mortality): May show up symptomats of some underlying pathology, e.g. from raised intracranial pressure and space-occupying lesions. Headaches due to a SOL are worse when lying down and morning vomiting is characteristic. There is often a change in mood, personality or educational performance. Causes of secondary headache include brain tumors, vascular malformations, and intracranial abscesses; craniofacial problems, such as sinusitis, dental abscesses, or otitis; systemic disorders, such as lupus cerebritis; and exposure to toxic substances, such as carbon monoxide, lead, or cocaine. Other features suggestive of a space-occupying lesion are i.e Red Flags for Headache:

• Visual field defects – from lesions pressing on the optic pathways, e.g. craniopharyngioma (a pituitary tumour)
• Cranial nerve abnormalities causing diplopia, new-onset squint or facial nerve palsy. Abducens nerve has a long intracranial course and is often affected when there is raised pressure, resulting in a squint with diplopia and inability to abduct the eye beyond the midline. It is a false localising sign. Other nerves are affected depending on the site of lesion, e.g. pontine lesions may affect the VIIth (facial) cranial nerve and cause a facial nerve palsy.
• Abnormal gait (Cerebellar Lesions)
• Torticollis 
• Bradycardia
• Confusion, Seizures
• Growth failure, e.g. craniopharyngioma or hypothalamic lesion
• Papilloedema 
• Cranial bruits – may be heard in arteriovenous malformations 
• Recent change in personality, behaviour or educational performance
• Headache that wakes up a child (different from headache on awakening, not uncommon in migraine)

Headache coinciding with the onset of fever suggests inflammation - sinusitis, pharyngitis, otitis, or meningitis), or may be associated with a more general viral syndrome. The severity of a headache is not helpful to determine the cause. Patients with tension headaches can com- plain of terrible pain, whereas a child with a brain tumor may complain of mild to moderate pain. Nonetheless, complaints of very intense pain should be taken seriously and assessed in context with other historical elements.

The most common causes of headache in chidren are viral and respiratory illnesses and migraneous headaches. A migraine that lasts >72 hours is known as status migrainosus. 

• The mainstay of management is a thorough history and examination. Imaging is unnecessary in the absence of any Red Flag features.
• Among children with intracranial diseases, most are unable to indicate the location of the pain or had an occipital headache. 
• Positional preferences --> space- occupying lesions
• Abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting--> May be seen in migraine 
• Cluster headaches can be associated with multiple ipsilateral symptoms
• Headache with effortless vomiting but no GI complaints --> suggests elevated ICP
• Family history is commonly seen in migraneous headaches

Examination findings may be normal even if the history suggests a secondary headache. A careful neurologic examination with attention to cranial nerves, gait, strength, and mental status is essential to exclude secondary headache. There is a very low incidence of positive findings on neuroimaging studies in children with headache who have normal findings on physical examination.

Imaging CT or MRI - NCCT is sufficent for most cases that require imaging. CT with contrast is needed when you suspect brain abscess but a normal head CT does not exclude an intracranial mass because the posterior fossa is not well visualized. The posterior fossa is the most common location of brain tumors in children, and MRI of the brain provides better visualization of the posterior fossa. MRA/MRV are useful when vascular malformations or dural sinus thrombosis is suspected. 

Treatment

Do not use narcotics for primary headaches. Long-term use of narcotics can change the pain-modulatory system leading to more intense pain. 

Options: 

• Primary Headaches - Fluid bolus/NSAIDs, Stemetil or Metoclopermide. Metocloperamide and Stemetil can cause extrapyramidal reactions, which are relieved by diphenhydramin, Triptans High Flow Oxygen can also be used to treate Cluster HA.  
• Secondary Headaches need symtom control with Analgesics and further evaluation. 

Take Home:

The mainstay of management is a thorough history and examination. Imaging is unnecessary in the absence of any Red Flag features.

Posted by:

              

     Lakshay Chanana

     

     Speciality Doctor

     Northwick Park Hospital

     Department of Emergency Medicine

     England

     @EMDidactic