new daily persistent headache

Clinical manifestations

• bilateral, persistent
• moderately severe
• may be preceded by viral infection
• may resemble migraine or tension headache

Laboratory

• erythrocyte sedimentation rate & serum C-reactive protein to rule out giant cell arteritis*

* all patients > 50 years of age

Radiology

• brain MRI

* all patients > 50 years of age

Management

• amitriptyline
• prednisone if erythrocyte sedimentation rate suggests giant cell arteritis

More general terms

• chronic daily headache