Chronic unilateral temporo-occipital headache attributed to unilateral C3 radiculopathy

Although C1–C3 upper cervical radiculopathy can cause a headache, most case reports are occipital neuralgia (ON), not headache. Here, we report a unique case of chronic temporo-occipital headache due to C3 radiculopathy. A 62-year-old male presented with a chronic left-sided temporo-occipital headac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Asian journal of neurosurgery 2018-10, Vol.13 (4), p.1229-1232
Main Authors: Ko, Hak-cheol, Son, Byung-chul
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Case Report
Complications and side effects
Headache
Radiculopathy
Risk factors
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Summary:Although C1–C3 upper cervical radiculopathy can cause a headache, most case reports are occipital neuralgia (ON), not headache. Here, we report a unique case of chronic temporo-occipital headache due to C3 radiculopathy. A 62-year-old male presented with a chronic left-sided temporo-occipital headache with duration of 4 years. The headache was aching and pressure like in nature. It had a typical radiating pattern on every occasion. It started in the posterior temporal area above the ear. It then extended to retroauricular area, then suboccipital area, and lateral neck. No hypesthesia, allodynia, or limitation in neck motion was noted. Myelographic computed tomography revealed a left-sided C2/C3 foraminal stenosis. Subsequent foraminotomy and decompression of the left C3 completely alleviated the chronic left-sided temporo-occipital headache. Unilateral C3 radiculopathy can cause chronic temporo-occipital headache besides ON. The present case might be a typical example of “headache attributed to upper cervical radiculopathy” (A11.2.4) rather than cervicogenic headache according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3 rd edition (beta version).
ISSN:1793-5482
2248-9614
DOI:10.4103/ajns.AJNS_197_17