Headache Attributed to Craniocervical Dystonia
摘要
This case reports a 60-year-old male with a long history of cervical dystonia (CD) who presented with concurrent headaches, which began 18 years after the onset of his motor symptoms. His condition, diagnosed at age 32, had been managed with botulinum toxin therapy for two decades. Over the past 10 years, he developed frequent cervical pain and headaches, which coincided with a worsening of his dystonic movements. The headaches, which occurred on average 20 days per month, were characterized as a tension-type pattern and significantly impacted his quality of life, as indicated by a Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) score of 56. Despite these frequent headaches, the patient had not used prophylactic treatment or overused analgesics. Clinical evaluation revealed right torticollis, left laterocollis, and anterocollis, with latent trigger points in the superior trapezius and suboccipital regions. His pain intensity was moderate, but his Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) score showed moderate severity (19), moderate disability (11), and minimal pain (5). After botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) therapy, his dystonic symptoms and pain significantly improved, and the headaches completely resolved for the duration of the treatment cycle. This case illustrates headache attributed to craniocervical dystonia (HACCD), a secondary headache that is closely tied to the progression and severity of dystonia. The interplay between the motor symptoms and pain demonstrates the importance of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment approach. Botulinum toxin therapy, the cornerstone of treatment for CD, not only alleviates the dystonic movements but also provides significant relief from headache pain, highlighting the dual benefit of targeting both peripheral and central pain mechanisms in these patients. Further studies are needed to evaluate the specific effects of BoNT-A on HACCD and refine treatment strategies.