Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, hemicrania continua and SUNCT: the fate of the three first described cases

Abstract

The first patient with chronic paroxysmal hemicrania has been followed for 45 years, and for 33 years with indomethacin treatment. The headache became less severe with time; there was no indomethacin tachyphylaxis. The first patient with SUNCT was followed for 28 years, until his demise at 89. Pain became worse with time. No adequate therapy was found. The first patient with Hemicrania continua was followed for 19 years, until her demise at 81. She was treated with indomethacin during the whole observation time. There was no tachyphylaxis. Both patients treated with indomethacin developed gastric ulcer. And both had gastric surgery. Indomethacin therapy may be a life-long affair. The risk of gastric complications may be substantial.