Uncommon Pediatric Primary Headache Disorders

Migraine and tension-type headaches are common primary headache disorders encountered among children and adolescents presenting to a pediatric clinic. At times, children present with a headache with unusual or peculiar features that can be alarming and perplexing. These can be in the form of a brief stabbing headache with lacrimation in one eye or a continuous headache locked to one side of the head or face. These headache syndromes tend to be more common among adults but, on occasion, are known to occur or have their onset during childhood. This review outlines some of the uncommon primary headache disorders in children and adolescents that may be encountered in a pediatric clinic. Knowledge of these interesting conditions may avert the need for immediate neurological consultation and prevent delays in initiating specific therapy.