Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Stroke Medicine pp 215–220Cite as

Recurrent Thunderclap Headaches

  • Chapter

  • 1409 Accesses

Abstract

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a transient disturbance in cerebral vascular tone with subsequent multifocal segmental intracerebral arterial constriction and dilation. It typically presents with recurrent thunderclap headaches, and with focal neurological deficits if cerebral infarction has occurred. Cerebral angiography demonstrates multifocal segmental narrowing and dilatation which normalises within 3 months. Differentiation from primary CNS angiitis can be made clinically, and from aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage radiologically. Management includes enquiring about and discontinuing any potential precipitant. commencement of calcium channel blockers may be beneficial. Prognosis is favourable, but dependent on the extent of cerebral infarction.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Chen SP, Fuh JL, Wang SJ, et al. Magnetic resonance angiography in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes. Ann Neurol. 2010;67:648–56.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ducros A, Boukobza M, Porcher R, et al. The clinical and radiological spectrum of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. A prospective series of 67 patients. Brain. 2007;130:133–9.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Calabrese LH, Dodick DW, Schwedt TJ, et al. Narrative review: reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146:34–44.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ducros A, Bousser MG. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Pract Neurol. 2009;9:256–67.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Singhal AB, Hajj-Ali RA, Topcuoglu MA, et al. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes. Analysis of 139 cases. Arch Neurol. 2011;68(8):1005–12.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Sattar A, Manousakis G, Jensen MB. Systematic review of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2010;8(10):1417–21.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Schwedt TJ, Matharu MS, Dodick DW. Thunderclap headache. Lancet Neurol. 2006;5:621–31.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Royal Free Hospital, London, London, UK

    Nicholas F. Brown MBBS, MA, MRCP

  2. Brain Repair & Rehabilitation, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK

    Martin M. Brown MA, MD, FRCP

Authors
  1. Nicholas F. Brown MBBS, MA, MRCP
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Martin M. Brown MA, MD, FRCP
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martin M. Brown MA, MD, FRCP .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. UCL Institute of Neurology Education Unit, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom

    S.K. Gill

  2. Brain Repair & Rehabilitation, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom

    M.M. Brown

  3. Lysholm Dept of Neuroradiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom

    F. Robertson

  4. Department of Stroke, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom

    N. Losseff

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer-Verlag London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Brown, N.F., Brown, M.M. (2015). Recurrent Thunderclap Headaches. In: Gill, S., Brown, M., Robertson, F., Losseff, N. (eds) Stroke Medicine. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6705-1_34

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6705-1_34

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-6704-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-6705-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation