Cervicogenic headache: a comparison with migraine and tension-type headache

Cervicogenic headache (CEH) is a neck-generated headache syndrome. Attacks may be similar to migraine (M) or tension-type headache (TTH). Ln order to test the accuracy of the MS diagnostic criteria for M and episodic TTH and of the criteria for CEH of Sjaastad et al., 33 CEH, 65 M, and 29 TTH were e valuated according to the CEH criteria, and CEH patients were tested for M and TTH according to the MS criteria. Only 30% of the CEH patients met the criteria for M, 3% met the criteria for TTH, and 66% were neither M nor TTH . The mean number of criteria met, sex, age, and age of onset were also ana lysed, and the results indicate an inequality among these three headache ty pes. The most important differentiating aspects were the site and radiation of the pain, the temporal pattern, and the induction of attacks from neck posture, movements, and/or digital pressure. CEH clearly differs from M and TTH. Existing criteria adequately distinguish the three headaches.