Postcraniotomy Headache: Etiologies and Treatments

Corina Bello; Lukas Andereggen; Markus M Luedi; Christian M Beilstein

doi:10.1007/s11916-022-01036-8

Postcraniotomy Headache: Etiologies and Treatments

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2022 May;26(5):357-364. doi: 10.1007/s11916-022-01036-8. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

Authors

Corina Bello¹, Lukas Andereggen^{1

2}, Markus M Luedi³, Christian M Beilstein¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University, Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.
² Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland.
³ Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University, Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010, Bern, Switzerland. markus.luedi2@insel.ch.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Postcraniotomy headache (PCH) is a highly underappreciated and very common adverse event following craniotomy.

Recent findings: Analgetic medication with opioids often interferes with neurologic evaluation in the acute phase of recovery and should be kept to a minimal, in general, in the treatment of chronic pain as well. We provide an update on the latest evidence for the management of acute and chronic PCH. Especially in the neurosurgical setting, enhanced recovery after surgery protocols need to include a special focus on pain control. Patients at risk of developing chronic pain must be identified and treated as early as possible.

Keywords: Acute pain; Chronic pain; Enhanced recovery after surgery; Neurosurgery; Postcraniotomy headache.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
Chronic Pain* / drug therapy
Craniotomy / adverse effects
Headache / drug therapy
Headache / therapy
Humans
Pain Management

Substances

Analgesics, Opioid