Thunderclap headache

• Published in: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry Vol. 72; no. 1; pp. 6 - 11
• Main Author: Dodick, D W
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.01.2002; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Aneurysm, Ruptured - diagnosis; Aneurysms; Biological and medical sciences; cerebral venous sinus thrombosis; CT angiography; CTA; CVST; Diagnosis, Differential; Headache - diagnosis; Headache - etiology; Headache. Facial pains. Syncopes. Epilepsia. Intracranial hypertension. Brain oedema. Cerebral palsy; Headaches; Hemorrhage; Humans; Intracranial Aneurysm - diagnosis; magnetic resonance angiography; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; Migraine Disorders - diagnosis; Migraine Disorders - etiology; MRA; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Nosological Entities?; SIH; spontaneous intracranial hypotension; Studies; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - diagnosis; Surgery; Thrombosis; thunderclap headache; Veins & arteries; Human; Headache; Symptomatology; Nervous system diseases; Pain; Pathophysiology; Etiopathogenesis; Diagnosis; Neurological disorder; Differential diagnostic
• ISSN: 0022-3050; 1468-330X
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.72.1.6

The aim is to review the background underlying the debate related to the alternative nomenclatures for and the most appropriate diagnostic evaluation of patients with thunderclap headache. The clinical profile and differential diagnosis of thunderclap headache is described, and a nosological framework and diagnostic approach to this group of patients is proposed.