Pleasure and Displeasure: Thunderclap Headache in a 13-Year-Old Boy

Carlos M Guerrero; Sonal Bhatia

doi:10.1177/2329048X211034360

Pleasure and Displeasure: Thunderclap Headache in a 13-Year-Old Boy

Child Neurol Open. 2021 Oct 4:8:2329048X211034360. doi: 10.1177/2329048X211034360. eCollection 2021 Jan-Dec.

Authors

Carlos M Guerrero¹, Sonal Bhatia²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
² Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.

Abstract

Primary headache associated with sexual activity (PHASA) is a rare headache syndrome characterized by an acute, maximally intense headache during sexual activity and/or orgasm. While rare, it is a diagnosis that is widely accepted in adults; but, scarcely documented in children and adolescents. We aim to highlight the diagnostic process of this interesting headache syndrome in the pediatric population and add to the small list of reported cases in this group. Herein, we describe the case of a 13-year-old boy who presented with thunderclap headaches (TCH) associated with sexual activity. While more commonly diagnosed in adults, PHASA should be considered in sexually active children, though more ominous diagnoses should also be contemplated prior to establishing this diagnosis.

Keywords: adolescents; headache; migraine; pediatric; sexual activity.

Publication types

Case Reports