Is there a relation between hemicrania continua and leprosy?

Indian J Lepr. 2012 Oct-Dec;84(4):317-20.

Abstract

The association of hemicrania continua and leprosy has been described in 2008. This relation can be causal or casual. Hemicrania continua is a strictly unilateral, moderate to severe, continuous, indomethacin-responsive primary headache with autonomic cranial symptoms and leprosy is an usual cause of peripheral neuropathy. Prevalence has fallen in the past years, but transmission continues and leprosy remains a public health problem. The objective of this study is to report one case of headache fulfilling the IHS criteria for HC, presented during the course of leprosy. A 61 years old woman started hypo and hiperpigmented lesions with impaired sensation to touch on right side of face (malar). She had biopsy in facial lesion and histopathology compatible with a borderline leprosy form. At the same time, she reported new headaches, daily and continuous, without pain-free periods, unilateral (which were located in the same side of the leprosy lesion in face), throbbing and severe (VAS = 8) with ipsilateral conjuntival injection and lacrimation that improved with indomethacin. We hypothesize that the local injury on the face of this patient predisposes a mechanism of central sensitization, resulting in trigeminal autonomic cephalgia. Relation between trigemino-autonomic cephalalgias and leprosy provides insights into craniofacial pain mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Biopsy
  • Brazil
  • Face / pathology
  • Facial Pain / complications*
  • Facial Pain / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indomethacin / therapeutic use*
  • Leprosy, Borderline / complications*
  • Leprosy, Borderline / drug therapy
  • Leprosy, Borderline / transmission
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine Disorders / complications*
  • Migraine Disorders / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Indomethacin