Table 1.

Proposed original criteria for Ictal Epileptic Headache (IEH) [reproduce from Parisi et al. (3), with permission].

Diagnostic criteria A–D must all be fulfilled in IEH

A. Headache* lasting minutes, hours, or days B. Headache that is ipsilateral or contralateral to lateralized ictal epileptiform EEG discharges (if EEG discharges are lateralized) B. Evidence of epileptiform (focal **, lateralized or generalized) discharges on scalp EEG concomitantly with headache; different types of EEG anomalies may be observed (generalized spike-and-wave or polyspike-and-wave, focal or generalized rhythmic activity or focal sub-continuous spikes or theta activity that may be intermingled with sharp waves) with or without photoparoxysmal responses (PPRs) D. Headache and EEG abnormalities resolves immediately (within few minutes) after i.v. antiepileptic drugs administration

^*A specific headache pattern is not required (Migraine With or Without Aura, or Tension-type headache are all accepted).

^**Any localization (frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital) is accepted.