A review of 50 cases of bath-related headache: clinical features and possible diagnostic criteria

ABSTRACT

Objective: To describe clinical features and possible diagnostic criteria of the 50 bath-related headache (BRH) cases that have been published in the literature to date.

Methods: Based on a literature search in the major medical databases, we analyzed all case reports or case series on BRH that were published between 2000 and 2017.

Results: We describe 48 women and two men diagnosed with BRH. Of these 50 patients, 90% were from Asian countries. The average age was 49.3 years. There was an association of BRH with migraine (28%), tension-type headache (12%) and cold stimulus headache (4%). Headache was bilaterally localized, had an explosive or pulsating quality and a severe intensity. The pain lasted from five minutes to four days. Associated manifestations were nausea, vomiting, photophobia or phonophobia. There was a good therapeutic response with nimodipine and when avoiding a hot bath.

Conclusions: Bath-related headache is a benign headache that is not associated with a structural lesion.

RESUMO

Objetivo: Descrever as características clínicas e possíveis critérios diagnósticos dos 50 casos de cefaleia relacionada ao banho (CRB) que foram publicados na literatura até agora.

Métodos: Com base em uma pesquisa de literatura nas principais bases de dados médicos, analisamos todos os relatos de casos ou séries de casos sobre BRH que foram publicados entre 2000 e 2017.

Resultados: Descrevemos 48 mulheres e 2 homens diagnosticados com CRB. Destes 50 pacientes, 90,0% eram asiáticos. A média de idade foi 49,3 anos. Houve associação com migrânea (28,0%), cefaleia do tipo tensional (12,0%) e cefaleia por estímulo frio (4,0%). A cefaleia foi localizada bilateralmente, explosiva ou pulsátil e de forte intensidade. A dor durou de 5 minutos a 4 dias.As manifestações associadas foram náuseas, vçmitos, fotofobia ou fonofobia. Houve uma boa resposta terapêutica com nimodipina e evitando-se banho quente.

Conclusões: CRB é uma cefaleia benigna não associada com lesão estrutural.

Keywords:

headache disorders - diagnosis - drug therapy

Palavras-chave:

transtornos da cefaleia - diagnóstico - tratamento farmacológico

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