Bradford Lee Napier1, Maki Morimoto2, Erin Napier3. 1. Retired Otolaryngologist for the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group in Honolulu. bradnapiermd@mac.com. 2. Assistant Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology at the John A Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. mmorimoto@hotmail.com. 3. Research Data Specialist at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. napierin@gmail.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) has been speculated to play a role in migraine headache pathophysiology. We present the first successful migraine headache treatment with therapy specifically targeting HSV infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 21-year-old white woman presented with a severe headache and was diagnosed with severe migraine headache disorder. She initially was treated with standard migraine headache medications without symptomatic improvement. She was then given famciclovir and celecoxib. The patient fully recovered within days and continues to enjoy significant reduction in severity and frequency of symptoms. DISCUSSION: Famciclovir and celecoxib may work synergistically against HSV. The virus may play a role in the pathophysiology of migraine headaches, and this is the first case report of successful migraine headache treatment with these medications. Further studies are needed to elucidate the efficacy of these medications in treating migraine disorder.
INTRODUCTION: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) has been speculated to play a role in migraineheadache pathophysiology. We present the first successful migraineheadache treatment with therapy specifically targeting HSV infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 21-year-old white woman presented with a severe headache and was diagnosed with severe migraineheadache disorder. She initially was treated with standard migraineheadache medications without symptomatic improvement. She was then given famciclovir and celecoxib. The patient fully recovered within days and continues to enjoy significant reduction in severity and frequency of symptoms. DISCUSSION: Famciclovir and celecoxib may work synergistically against HSV. The virus may play a role in the pathophysiology of migraine headaches, and this is the first case report of successful migraineheadache treatment with these medications. Further studies are needed to elucidate the efficacy of these medications in treating migraine disorder.
Authors: Diethilde Theil; Tobias Derfuss; Igor Paripovic; Simone Herberger; Edgar Meinl; Olaf Schueler; Michael Strupp; Viktor Arbusow; Thomas Brandt Journal: Am J Pathol Date: 2003-12 Impact factor: 4.307