Patient is seen at the ED complaining of an intense right-sided headache. Physical exam showed drooping of the right eyelid, tearing in that eye only, and rhinorrhea —right nostril only. There was miosis in the right pupil. The patient stated the headache started very suddenly, qualifying it with, "They all do." He described the pain as "drilling" and was mostly located around the periorbital

Question

area. He said, "You may as well stick a hot poker in my eye. It wouldn't hurt as much as the headache." This is not the first episode of this type of headache. They seem to be cyclical in nature. He can have several attacks in one day, and they last from 15 minutes to 3 hours over the course of several days, and then go for weeks without a headache. He has tried to manage them with over the counter meds, but admitted the medications did not help. An MRI of the brain was ordered to rule out an ischemic event. The MRI was negative. While waiting for the MRI results, the patient was noted to be rocking back and forth on the bed, as if attempting to soothe himself. Pain meds were ordered and seemed to provide some relief, though it is not known if the headache just resolved itself or if the medication was truly effective. Based on symptomology and the patient's description of the headaches, he was diagnosed with episodic cluster headaches.

First-listed diagnosis: ________
Secondary diagnoses: ________
Fill in the blank with correct word.

Answer 1

First-listed diagnosis: ________
Answer: Cluster headaches, episodic – G44.019

Secondary diagnoses: ________
Answer: None