Cervicocranial syndrome

X-ray of the human skull

Cervicocranial syndrome manifests itself as an occipital headache. The cause is in the cervical spine. The pain is most often located in the back of the head, but can also be on the scalp or during sleep. The pain may spread to the frontal or retrobulbar area, most often bilaterally (but may also be asymmetric).

Etiology

The cause of pain is functional disorders of the dynamics of the atlantooccipital junction or the cervical spine, which may be caused by morphological changes and excessive load on the musculoskeletal system.

Clinical picture

The syndrome is characterized by headaches in the occipital region, which have a chronic-intermittent character and are sometimes combined with vertigo and nausea, vomiting and nystagmus (cervicovestibular syndrome). The pain can be dull, sharp or stabbing. Cervicocranial syndrome most often causes a reduction in rotation and retroflexion.

Differential diagnosis

If the pain is clinically significant, an X-Ray of the cervical spine and possibly the skull should be supplemented . Differential diagnosis requires the exclusion intracranial hypertension syndrome, subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningeal syndrome.

Therapy

In the acute stage analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are suitable, we administer muscle relaxants for a short time and we recommend a rest regime. In the chronic stage, rehabilitation essential as a recurrence prevention.

Links

Related articles

• headache
• Vertebrogenic algic syndrome

External links

• Cervicocranial syndrome − Medicine for practice

References

• ws:Cervikokraniální syndrom
• AMBLER, Zdeněk. Basics of neurology :  [textbooks for medical faculties]. 7th edition. Prague : Galén, 2011. ISBN 978-80-7262-707-3.