Children's Headaches

    
      Re: Children's Headaches
    


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Posted by CCF Neuro MD on April 08, 1997 at 09:07:12:

In Reply to: Children's Headaches posted by Tami S. on April 08, 1997 at 08:55:01:

: This Message was posted by: Tami S. -  4/2/97 5:11:44 PM
  Message:
  My five year old son suffers from pain in between his eyes
  on a constant basis.
  He has had a CT scan that came out negative as well as eye
  exams, and a sinus series, and we have found nothing.
  He complains of the pain morning, noon, and night.
  We have tried eliminating foods from his diet and that has
  not helped either. We have tried Chrildren's motrin and
  various sinus perscription medication from the Doctor and
  nothing we have found will relieve his pain.
  We are very frustrated and feel that we can do nothing to
  make him feel better.
  He will be seeing a neurologist tomorrow but does anyone
  have any clues as to what kind of pain would be in between
  the eyes?
=======================================================
On rare occasions, tumors in the back of the brain or other disease process irritating the "roof" overlying the back of the brain
(called the cerebellum) can produce so-called "referred" pain that is felt between the eyes even though the problem is way far
back in the brain, much in the same way a person having a heart attack sometimes feels the pain in their arm or jaw instead of
right where the heart is. A CT scan with contrast material and special thin slices through the back part of the brain called
"posterior fossa cuts" can detect many such problems, as could an MRI scan of the brain. Barring this unlikely serious cause
for the headaches, your son appears to have what would be termed an atypical headache syndrome. Some of these types of
headaches are very difficult to define and treat, and on occasion there is a significant underlying general medical disease
process or psychiatric disease process of which the headches are one symptom. Obviously, most doctors will do reasonable
testing to search for
neurologic and medical explanations first before even considering the latter option. Seeing a neurologist, or, if you have access
to one, a pediatric neurologist is a good idea. They can perform a detailed history and neurologic examination and review
headaches or other diseases that may run in the family that might help sort out these complex issues. I doubt there will be a fast
and easy answer in your son's case based upon the limited information provided, and the nonspecific, very common pain
location. If you are interested in seeing a pediatric neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic specifically, the direct appointment line is
216-445-8125; or you may call 1-800-223-2273 and ask to be connected to pediatric neurology appointments.