Headache
Headache is the most common neurological disorder experienced worldwide and a leading cause of disability. Headaches interfere with all aspects of life and steal precious time from those who experience them. Headache and facial pain disorders also impact family members and others who are close to the patient. Fortunately, most headache conditions can be successfully treated.
The Headache and Facial Pain section focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of patients that suffer with headache and facial pain to improve their quality of life. While migraine is the most common condition managed within our section, we care for patients with all types of primary and secondary headache disorders. We have well-established and nationally recognized multidisciplinary programs related to abnormalities in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure – both intracranial hypotension (low-pressure headache) and intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri). Our experts use the latest scientific advances to offer help and hope for those times when headaches and facial pain move from being a nuisance to interfering with a person’s life.
Clinical
The Headache and Facial Pain Program was founded in 2012 and has grown to serve more than 2,500 patients annually. We provide clinical services at UT Southwestern James W. Aston Ambulatory Care Center and Parkland Hospital.
Research
The Headache and Facial Pain section is involved in clinical trials related to migraine, cluster headache, and trigeminal neuralgia. Our faculty members publish in high-impact journals such as Headache, Cephalalgia, Neurology, Annals of Neurology, and JAMA Neurology.
Education
Since its inception, the Headache and Facial Pain section has been committed to educational endeavors. To this end, we teach medical students and residents and provide education at regional and national professional meetings. Our United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties-accredited Fellowship in Headache Medicine provides advanced clinical and research training to increase the number of headache medicine specialists in the United States.
Conditions Treated
The Headache and Facial Pain section is committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate, efficient, high-quality care to our patients and their families. Headaches are broadly separated into two categories, primary and secondary. Primary headache disorders include:
- Migraine
- Cluster headache
- Paroxysmal hemicranias
- Hemicrania continua
- SUNCT syndrome
- Tension-type headache
- Hypnic headache
- Exertional headaches
- Primary stabbing headache
- New daily persistent headache
Some of the common secondary headache disorders we treat are:
- Classic trigeminal neuralgia and other forms of trigeminal neuralgia
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks (spontaneous intracranial hypotension)
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri syndrome)
- Medication overuse headache
Primary Services
The Headache and Facial Pain section offers a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic services, including advanced MRI, blood tests, lumbar punctures (spinal taps) and neurological exams. We perform procedures for headaches, including chemodenervation (Botox®), nerve blocks, sphenopalatine ganglion blocks, and trigger-point injections. The intracranial disorders program offers CT and MR myelography, digital subtraction myelography, dynamic CSF pressure monitoring, optic nerve sheath fenestration, shunting, and cerebral venous sinus stenting.
Neurology Clinic – Headache and Facial Pain at James W. Aston Ambulatory Care Center
Collaborative Services
We collaborate with Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology, Ophthalmology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Otolaryngology to perform diagnostic services and interventions for CSF pressure-related headaches and facial pain when indicated. We manage oral, injectable, and infusion medications, and work with the Neurology inpatient teams for patients needing hospitalization. We also work closely with Sleep Medicine, as sleep disorders may cause or worsen headaches.
Psychology Services
Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, adverse childhood experiences, and other psychological disorders frequently occur in patients with headache and facial pain disorders. Addressing these coexisting conditions, when present, is an important aspect of care. Pain psychologists are integrated into the Headache Clinic to offer therapy – such as cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, mindfulness medication, and traditional psychological services – support and guidance to patients and families.
Providers
Clinical Trials
The Headache and Facial Pain section is actively involved in clinical trials. We collaborate with industry to bring new treatments to patients and design and perform our own clinical research to bring new knowledge to the field. Our areas of research interest include migraine, cluster headache, trigeminal neuralgia, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure disorders.