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Abstract #10460 Published in IGR 6-1
Cluster headache: interictal asymmetric increment in intraocular pressure elicited by Valsalva manoeuvre
Barriga FJ; Sanchez del Rio M; Baron M; Dobato J; Gili P; Yanguela J; Bueno A; Pareja JACephalalgia 2004; 24: 185-187
Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) elicited by the Valsalva maneuver were studied in 11 male patients (mean age, 39.8 years) suffering from episodic cluster headache (CH), and 12 healthy male controls (mean age, 39.9 years). The tests were performed at rest and while exhaling hard through a mouthpiece connected to a mercury manometer. In the CH group, during symptomatic periods, between attacks, the Valsalva maneuver elicited an asymmetric increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) with significantly higher values on the symptomatic side (p = 0011), whereas no asymmetric increments in IOP were found during asymptomatic periods. Outside the cluster period the IOP values both baseline and with the Valsalva maneuver did not differ from controls. The increment in IOP took place within a few seconds, as in spontaneous CH attacks, thus pointing to a rapid increase in intraocular blood volume or vasodilatation. These findings may reflect a latent increased vascular reactivity of the symptomatic orbit during CH period.
Dr. F.J. Barriga, Department of Neurology, Fundacion Hospital Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain. fibarriga@fhalcoron.es
Classification:
10 Differential diagnosis e.g. anterior and posterior ischemic optic neuropathy
