Ten-year follow-up in a case series of integrative botulinum toxin intervention in adolescents with chronic daily headache and associated muscle pain

Schroeder AS, Huss K, Blaschek A, Koerte IK, Zeycan B, Roser T, Langhagen T, Schwerin A, Berweck S, Reilich P, Schaefer J, Straube A, Heinen F

Neuropediatrics 2012 Dec;43(6):339-45

PMID: 23129438

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: A total of 83% of children report headache during a 6-month period. The estimated 1-year prevalence of chronic daily headache (CDH) in children is at least 1 to 2%. Muscle pain is associated with headache severity and chronicity. Muscle pain can be associated with active muscular trigger points, a functional concept still remaining a controversy. An integrated approach including bio-behavioral management is accepted as standard treatment but does not provide sufficient pain relief in all patients.

OBJECTIVE: We report the individual clinical course of five adolescents with treatment-refractory CDH associated with focal muscle pain. We describe a concept of short-term integrative intervention including botulinum toxin (StiBo) in a personalized “follow the referred pain pattern” injection regimen with the focus on long-term follow-up.

RESULTS: StiBo showed short-term efficacy on headache frequency and severity. In the long-term follow-up, CDH was not existent in any of the patients.

CONCLUSION: The treatment may have enabled the patients to draw attention away from a repeated circle of muscle-triggered pain and withdrawal of daily activities toward self-driven activities, thereby potentially preventing the development of further chronification. To prove this hypothesis, a prospective, placebo-controlled study in young adolescents with CDH should be initiated including objective outcome parameters on muscular level.