What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Headache Attributed to Non-Infectious Aseptic Meningitis
• Headache due to Non-Infectious Aseptic Meningitis

What is Headache Attributed to Aseptic (Non-Infectious) Meningitis? (Definition/Background Information)

• Headache Attributed to Aseptic (Non-Infectious) Meningitis is a headache disorder that occurs secondary to non-infectious aseptic meningitis, which is termed an inflammatory intracranial disease. Apart from headaches, the condition can also cause fever, neck stiffness, tiredness, muscle weakness, and increased light-sensitivity
• Inflammation or swelling of the covering (meninges) around the brain is called meningitis. Non-infectious aseptic meningitis develops from factors such as autoimmune disorders, medication use, or brain cysts. The condition is marked by an abnormal increase in white blood cells, called lymphocytic pleocytosis, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
• Medications causing aseptic meningitis may include:
  • Antibiotics such as penicillin or trimethoprim
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Insufflation using various medications
  • Intrathecal (spinal cord) injections 
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, among others
• The headache that develops is known to improve and regress on undertaking suitable management of the underlying non-infectious aseptic meningitis. Similarly, a progression of aseptic meningitis, in the absence of adequate treatment can worsen the headache

The criteria for diagnosis of Headache Attributed to Aseptic (Non-Infectious) Meningitis as outlined by the International Headache Society (IHS) is given below:

• Aseptic meningitis has been diagnosed by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination
• Any headache fulfilling the criterion below

Evidence of causation demonstrated by at least two of the following:

• Headache has developed in temporal relation to the onset of aseptic meningitis, or led to its discovery
• Either or both of the following
  • Headache has significantly worsened in parallel with worsening of the aseptic meningitis
  • Headache has significantly improved in parallel with improvement in the aseptic meningitis
• Headache is accompanied by other symptoms and/or clinical signs of meningeal inflammation including neck stiffness (meningismus) and/or photophobia

Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis.

(Source: International Headache Society Classification ICHD-3, London, United Kingdom)