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New Daily Persistent Headache — SCE Neurology MCQ

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ModerateHeadache & Facial PainNew Daily Persistent HeadacheSCE Neurology

A 35-year-old woman presents with daily persistent headache for 6 months. It began abruptly one day and has been continuous since. She can pinpoint the exact date it started. It is bilateral, pressing, moderate intensity, with mild photophobia. She has no history of headache disorders and no medication overuse. MRI brain is normal. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: B — New daily persistent headache

New daily persistent headache (NDPH) is characterised by a headache that is daily and unremitting from onset (or within 3 days of onset), and the patient can typically pinpoint the exact date of onset. This feature distinguishes it from chronic migraine or chronic tension-type headache, which evolve from episodic forms. NDPH may have migraine-like or tension-type features but is defined by its abrupt onset and persistence. A: Chronic migraine evolves from episodic migraine. B: Chronic TTH evolves from episodic TTH. D: No medication overuse history. E: Normal MRI excludes structural cause.

Reference: ICHD-3 (2018)