Headache Attack Similar to Paroxismal Hemicrania Seen During Flight

Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020 Apr 1;91(4):373-375. doi: 10.3357/AMHP.5540.2020.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Airplane headache (AH) is unique to plane travel and looks like a short duration migraine attack or paroxysmal hemicrania (PH) attack without any autonomic symptoms. Until now, there has been no documented association between AH and PH.CASE REPORT: We report a 50-yr-old healthy woman with a very severe and sudden pulsating headache located in the left frontal region with radiation into the left eye during takeoff which diminished within 10-15 min during her airplane journeys.DISCUSSION: The patient was diagnosed with AH and she had good response to indomethacin. The pain was unique to plane travel but looked like PH. We discuss the association between AH and PH attack in the light of diagnostic criteria and therapeutic approach in the report.Koçer A. Headache attack similar to paroxysmal hemicrania seen during flight. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(4):373-375.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aerospace Medicine*
  • Air Travel
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Aviation*
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology
  • Headache / physiopathology*
  • Headache / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Indomethacin / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Paroxysmal Hemicrania / physiopathology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Indomethacin