Other studies looking at patient perception of migraine directionality as a predictor of responsiveness to onabotulinumtoxin treatment have shown similar results.[5, Selleck Stem Cell Compound Library 7, 8] The pathophysiology underlying the difference in these 2 groups is not clear, but it has been suggested that imploding or ocular headache may have an extracranial origin that is mediated by activation of meningeal nerves that infiltrate the periosteum through the calvarial sutures.[4] The best methods to differentiate imploding, ocular, and exploding

headache types in migraine sufferers have not been systematically explored. Clinical observations regarding the difficulty with correct assignment of headache directionality have been discussed in the literature.[6, 10] Clinicians have observed that headache patients often have difficulty consistently MI-503 describing and assigning directionality to their headache pain.[6, 10] Currently, no specific criteria exist for defining headache directionality, nor are there agreed upon descriptors to aid the clinician and patient in assigning

directionality. The purpose of our study was to investigate different methods of determining imploding, exploding, and or ocular headaches in women with migraine, to investigate the concordance between physician assignment and patient self-assignment of pain directionality, to assess interattack and intra-attack variability in headache directionality, and to evaluate the consistency with which patients assigned a direction to their usual headache when queried using different methods. We conducted an institutional review board approved prospective, cross-sectional survey study of 198 consecutive patients seen in an outpatient women’s health practice at our institution from January 2008 to October 2012. Female patients between the ages of 18 and 77 who fulfilled the International Classification of Headache Disorders 2nd edition (ICHD-II) diagnostic criteria for migraine with or without aura[11] were asked to participate in the study. A chief complaint of selleck screening library headache was not required

for participation in the study. Patients with migraine headache were identified through direct questioning or chart review at time of clinic appointment and when patients requested a prescription refill of a migraine specific therapy. If identified through prescription refill request, patients were asked to participate in the study at the time of their next appointment. If no appointment was scheduled, patients were asked to come in to complete a survey. Patients were excluded from the study for headache not fulfilling ICHD-II criteria for migraine, an inability to read English, visual or communication impairment that led to an inability to complete the survey, long-term maintenance opioid therapy for headache or another chronic pain condition, and patient refusal.