Paroxysmal pressing headache: A new short-lasting headache.

INTRODUCTION: In this report we describe a series of patients with a previously undescribed headache.

METHODS: Over a 4-year period, we recruited 14 patients with a distinctive type of head pain of unknown cause that did not meet diagnostic criteria for other primary headaches.

RESULTS: Nine women and five men with a mean age of 49.6 years (standard deviation, 17.8) presented with spontaneous headache attacks lasting 2-15 minutes. In each attack, the pain was localized to a region of one side of the head. Pain location varied between episodes in 12 patients. Pain quality was pressing, and pain intensity was mild to severe. There were no accompanying symptoms. Physical examination and all ancillary tests were unremarkable. Among seven patients who tried pharmacological treatments, one responded to antidepressants, another to indomethacin and three to other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or simple analgesics.

CONCLUSIONS: Paroxysmal pressing headache may be a new headache syndrome marked by short duration of the pain and shifting location.