Title

The Vascular Cold Patch Is Not A Prognostic Index For Headache

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Headache

Keywords

Clinical Neurology

Abstract

Our previous research has determined that the vascular “cold patch” is a valid diagnostic “marker” and is a persistent constituent of the thermal geography of the external carotid region. It has been suggested by DallaVolta and Anzola (1988) that the cold patch may be a prognostic index of vascular headache physiology; that is, as headaches improve through the use of vaso active prophylactic medication, the cold patch would decrease in size or disappear. The purpose of this study is an attempt to replicate these findings.

Forty migraine patients were randomly selected, and a thermographic re‐examination of the external carotid region (forehead) was conducted. The post‐treatment thermogram was then compared to the initial pre‐treatment thermogram. Thirty subjects demonstrated an improved condition (IC) and ten subjects aworsened condition (WC). The IC Group exhibited a 73.2% reduction in headache frequency following a mean treatment period of 6.3 months. The WC Group demonstrated a 48.1% increase in headache occurrence at a mean treatment interval of fifteen months.

Results demonstrated little thermographic difference between the two conditions. Within the IC Group,46.7% of subjects exhibited and increase in cold patch size with an improved condition, 40% of cold patches remained stable, 6.7% of cold patches reduced in size, and zero cold patches disappeared with successful treatment. Within the WC Group, 20% of cold patches decreased in size with a worsened condition, 40%increased in size, and 40% remained stable. Chi square analysis determined there was no significant difference in cold patch changes between patients whose headache condition improved or worsened (p<.70).

Examination revealed that temperature changes across the entire facial pattern were responsible for cold patch fluctuations. Chi square analysis determined that cold patches had a tendency to increase in size as the overall facial temperature decreased, and cold patches had a tendency to decrease in size as the overall temperature rose. These overall temperature alterations are most likely the effects of vasoconstriction and vasodilatation. These findings are supported by our previous research.

The results of this investigation suggests that the vascular cold patch is independent of prognosis and is most likely a permanent element of a vascular headache sufferer's facial thermal pattern.

Journal Title

Headache

Volume

29

Issue/Number

9

Publication Date

1-1-1989

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

562

Last Page

568

WOS Identifier

WOS:A1989AY33100002

ISSN

0017-8748

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