Polysomnography in hypnic headache syndrome

Hypnic headache syndrome is an unusual chronic headache that usually begins after age 60 years and occurs exclusively during sleep. Despite the relati onship between the headache and sleep, no formal sleep evaluation with over night polysomnography has been reported for this syndrome, Three patients w ith long-standing hypnic headache underwent overnight polysomnography, The results were quite variable, ranging from normal to marked sleep insufficie ncy. A hypnic headache was captured in one patient arising out of rapid eye movement sleep at a time of severe oxygen desaturation, Formal sleep evalu ation should be considered in patients with hypnic headache because there m ay be pathophysiologic and therapeutic implications.