Sphenopalatine ganglion block for refractory COVID-19 headache: a descriptive case series

[Headache associated with COVID-19 vaccination: how to classify?]

INTRODUCTION

In the setting of acute COVID-19 infection, headache occurs in 10-60% of patients and may last for days and, in a smaller proportion of patients, weeks (about 10%). However, it is less recognized that headache may also occur after vaccination with a short latency and may persist for a longer period in a still unclear number of patients.

METHODS

Retrospective description of headache and course in a case series of 32 outpatients with headache that changed or recurred after COVID-19 vaccination.

RESULTS

The majority of patients experienced an exacerbation of migraine headache; rare headache syndromes such as intracranial hypertension or thunderclap headache occurred in 2 patients. Headache manifested in more than 50% of patients within the first 48 h after vaccination. Over 50% of patients who received a triptan improved.

CONCLUSION

The pathophysiological relationship between vaccination and persistent headache is not yet clearly understood. The short latency, partial efficacy of cortisone, and initial findings showing an increase of various inflammatory markers during the course of headache in COVID infection suggest a possible involvement of the innate immune system and here the inflammasome. Furthermore, the response to triptan in a proportion of patients also indicates activation of the trigeminovascular system.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences for chronic pain: a narrative review

The COVID-19 pandemic transformed everyday life, but the implications were most impactful for vulnerable populations, including patients with chronic pain. Moreover, persistent pain is increasingly recognised as a key manifestation of long COVID. This narrative review explores the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for chronic pain. Publications were identified related to the COVID-19 pandemic influence on the burden of chronic pain, development of new-onset pain because of long COVID with proposed mechanisms and COVID-19 vaccines and pain interventions. Broadly, mechanisms underlying pain due to SARS-CoV-2 infection could be caused by 'systemic inflammatory-immune mechanisms', 'direct neuropathic mechanisms' or 'secondary mechanisms due to the viral infection or treatment'. Existing chronic pain populations were variably impacted and social determinants of health appeared to influence the degree of effect. SARS-CoV-2 infection increased the absolute numbers of patients with pain and headache. In the acute phase, headache as a presenting symptom predicted a milder course. New-onset chronic pain was reportedly common and likely involves multiple mechanisms; however, its prevalence decreases over time and symptoms appear to fluctuate. Patients requiring intensive support were particularly susceptible to long COVID symptoms. Some evidence suggests steroid exposure (often used for pain interventions) may affect vaccine efficacy, but there is no evidence of clinical repercussions to date. Although existing chronic pain management could help with symptomatic relief, there is a need to advance research focusing on mechanism-based treatments within the domain of multidisciplinary care.

Headache associated with COVID‐19: Epidemiology, characteristics, pathophysiology, and management

Objective

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

NeuroCOVID-19: a critical review

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged neurologists since its early days. Neurology consultation services were then overloaded by emergency department and intensive-care patients with acute neurological syndromes. These complications are better explained today, but the growing number of patients with reported longstanding neurological symptoms constitute an emerging, complex, and still poorly understood phenomenon.

OBJECTIVE

This review summarizes data on relevant neurological manifestations of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and lasting post-infectious disease, also known as Long COVID. The complex history of Long COVID is examined to illustrate the upsides and challenges imposed by the active participation of patient communities in the production of medical knowledge.

METHODS

Narrative review.

RESULTS

Infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is associated with encephalopathy/delirium, cerebrovascular disease, headache, and peripheral nervous system involvement. Long COVID is a living concept jointly defined by patient communities, physicians and scientists, including neurologists.

CONCLUSION

Co-production of Long COVID knowledge between scientists and patients has initiated an era of patient-led research and evidence-based activism that acts as a two-edged sword - putting patient's suffering in the spotlight, but with a tradeoff in methodological consistency.

Indomethacin for refractory COVID or post-COVID headache: a retrospective study

Background

COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, manifests with headache, both in the acute phase and as a post-infection symptom, which may be refractory to usual analgesics.

Objectives

Investigate the therapeutic response of refractory COVID or post-COVID headache to indomethacin.

Methods

This was an observational, retrospective, open and uncontrolled. A sample of 37 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 presenting headache during the acute phase or after the resolution of the disease, with refractoriness to the usual symptomatic medication was treated with indomethacin.

Results

Of the 37 patients (24 women and 13 men), 29 were migraineurs and 8 had no previous history of headache. The average age was 40.4 ± 9.4 years, ranging from 19 to 65 years. In 26 (70.3%) patients, the onset of headache occurred within 72 h, and in 11 (29.7%), after 10 days of positivity for Sars-CoV-2. After treatment with indomethacin, 36 patients reported greater than 50% headache relief from the third day and 5 became asymptomatic on the fifth day.

Conclusions

In patients with migraine or no prior history of headache who present with refractory COVID or post-COVID headache to common analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and/or triptans, indomethacin should be considered a therapeutic option.