BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Certain miscellaneous idiopathic headache disorders, which are regarded as entities, are grouped in Chapter 4 of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Recent epidemiological research suggests that these headache disorders are underdiagnosed. OBJECTIVES: To give expert recommendations for the different drug and non-drug treatment procedures of these different headache disorders based on a literature search and on consensus of an expert panel. METHODS: All available medical reference systems were screened for all kinds of clinical studies on these headache disorders. The findings in these studies were evaluated according to the recommendations of the EFNS resulting in level A, B or C recommendations and good practice points. RECOMMENDATIONS: For all headache disorders, acute and prophylactic drug treatment is recommended based on case series and on expert consensus. Furthermore, recommendations for the differential diagnoses are given because these headache disorders can also present with a symptomatic form. The most effective drug for the majority of these headache disorders is indomethacin, mostly applied as long-term or short-term prophylaxis.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Certain miscellaneous idiopathic headache disorders, which are regarded as entities, are grouped in Chapter 4 of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Recent epidemiological research suggests that these headache disorders are underdiagnosed. OBJECTIVES: To give expert recommendations for the different drug and non-drug treatment procedures of these different headache disorders based on a literature search and on consensus of an expert panel. METHODS: All available medical reference systems were screened for all kinds of clinical studies on these headache disorders. The findings in these studies were evaluated according to the recommendations of the EFNS resulting in level A, B or C recommendations and good practice points. RECOMMENDATIONS: For all headache disorders, acute and prophylactic drug treatment is recommended based on case series and on expert consensus. Furthermore, recommendations for the differential diagnoses are given because these headache disorders can also present with a symptomatic form. The most effective drug for the majority of these headache disorders is indomethacin, mostly applied as long-term or short-term prophylaxis.