Autunno Massimo, De Luca Marcella, Ferraù Ludovica, Rodolico Carmelo
Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
J Med Case Rep. 2025 May 21;19(1):243. doi: 10.1186/s13256-025-05304-0.
Airplane headache is a rare condition first identified in 2004 and subsequently included in the International Classification of Headache Disorders (Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society in Cephalalgia 33:629-808, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102413485658 ). Airplane headache typically presents as intense, stabbing, unilateral pain in the frontal or orbital regions, with a severity of 8-10 on the numeric rating scale. Despite its relatively low prevalence and generally nondisabling nature, the intense pain associated with airplane headache often leads to significant anxiety and fear of flying, underscoring the need for effective treatment strategies. Currently, there are no established guidelines for the treatment of airplane headache. Various anecdotal treatments have been reported, including nasal decongestants, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, and triptans.
We describe the case of a 28-years old Caucasian female patient with recurrent airplane headache successfully treated with rimegepant, a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, taken half an hour before plane departure. A 10-month follow-up confirmed the treatment efficacy.
This novel use of rimegepant, typically employed in migraine management, demonstrates a promising therapeutic option for airplane headache.
飞机性头痛是一种罕见病症，于2004年首次被发现，随后被纳入《国际头痛疾病分类》（国际头痛协会头痛分类委员会，《头痛》33:629 - 808，2013年。https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102413485658 ）。飞机性头痛通常表现为额部或眶部区域强烈的刺痛性单侧疼痛，数字评分量表评分为8 - 10分。尽管其患病率相对较低且一般不导致功能障碍，但与飞机性头痛相关的剧痛常引发严重焦虑和飞行恐惧，凸显了有效治疗策略的必要性。目前，尚无飞机性头痛的既定治疗指南。已报道了各种经验性治疗方法，包括鼻减充血剂、非甾体抗炎药和曲坦类药物。
我们描述了一例28岁的白种女性患者，患有复发性飞机性头痛，在飞机起飞前半小时服用降钙素基因相关肽受体拮抗剂瑞美吉泮后成功治愈。10个月的随访证实了治疗效果。
瑞美吉泮通常用于偏头痛治疗，这种新用途为飞机性头痛提供了一种有前景的治疗选择。
