Idiopathic Stabbing Headache

Synonyms:

a.k.a. primary stabbing headache a.k.a. idiopathic Ice pick pain a.k.a. jabs and jolts syndrome:

Diagnosis:

Clinical:

  • Sharp ice pick like pain, lasting less than 1 second
  • Within the distribution of trigeminal nerve, especially V1 division. Rarely it is outside this distribution
  • May cause flinching & may occur in a series

Note:

  • Ice pick like pain also occurs in Migraine, Cluster headache & giant cell arteritis.

Treatment:

  • If repetitive: Indomethacin TID

Related articles: