New daily persistent headache after SARS-CoV-2 infection: a report of two cases

Background The 2019 Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel respiratory virus which causes Coronavirus Disease19 (COVID-19). Although the predominant clinical picture of COVID-19 is represented by respiratory symptoms, neurological manifestations are being increasingly recognized. Headache, in particular migraine-like and tension types, has been largely reported in patients suffering from COVID-19 both in the acute and the healing phase of the infection. New daily persistent headache (NDPH) is a primary headache characterized by persistent and daily painful symptoms, with pain becoming continuous and non-remitting within 24 h, and lasting more than 3 months. Even though an increasing number of reports describe patients who develop a persistent headache, diagnosis of NPDH has been rarely explored in the context of COVID-19. Methods Two patients with persistent headache and Sars-CoV-2 infection were identified. Both underwent a full clinical and neuroradiological evaluation. Blood sample with inflammatory biomarkers search was also performed. Results According to International Classifications of Headache Disorders diagnosis of probable new daily persistent headache was made. The treatment with high doses of steroids was associated with relief of symptoms. Conclusions Our report described two cases of probable NDPH due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinical evaluation of COVID-19 patients presenting with persistent headache should take into consideration NDPH. Given the supposed major role for neuroinflammation in the genesis of Sars-CoV-2-driven NDPH, immunomodulatory therapy should be promptly started. In line with this hypothesis, we obtained a good therapeutic response to short-term high dose of corticosteroids.

Automated summary

This study describes two cases of probable NDPH due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinical evaluation of COVID-19 patients presenting with persistent headache should take into consideration NDPH. Immunomodulatory therapy should be promptly started for SARS-CoV-2-driven NDPH, as supported by a good therapeutic response to short-term high dose of corticosteroids in this study.