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

• Headache due to Intracranial Fungal Infection

What is Headache Attributed to Intracranial Fungal Infection? (Definition/Background Information)

• Headache Attributed to Intracranial Fungal Infection is a headache disorder that occurs secondary to intracranial fungal infection. The infection is almost only observed in individuals with poor immunity. Besides headache, the infection can be marked by fever, nausea and vomiting, altered mental status, and other progressive neurological signs and symptoms
• Intracranial fungal infections may result in meningitis and/or encephalitis, which causes inflammation of the meninges (a protective tissue layer of the brain) and the brain respectively. The causative fungal pathogens include Aspergillus, Candida, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Mucor, and Nocardia species
• The following factors may increase one’s risk for such intracranial infections:
  • Individuals with abnormally low neutrophils (a type of white blood cells) - a condition called neutropenia with blood levels less than 500 neutrophils/cubic mm
  • Immunocompromised state caused by the use of immunosuppressant medications
  • Individuals with familial forms of immunodeficiency
  • Long-term steroid therapy
  • Individuals who have undergone procedures such as allogeneic graft of stem cells
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
• The headache may be a “new” headache, or the exacerbation of a pre-existing headache may take place, which then becomes chronic. The headache is known to improve and regress on undertaking suitable management of the underlying intracranial infection. Similarly, a progression of the infection in the absence of adequate treatment can worsen the headache. However, in rare cases, the condition can become persistent
• Based on the type of headache, Headache Attributed to Intracranial Fungal Infection is sub-grouped into the following two types:
  • Acute Headache Attributed to Intracranial Fungal Infection
  • Chronic Headache Attributed to Intracranial Fungal Infection

The criteria for diagnosis of Headache Attributed to Intracranial Fungal Infection as outlined by the International Headache Society (IHS) is given below:

• Intracranial fungal infection has been diagnosed
• Any headache fulfilling the criterion below

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

• Headache has developed in close temporal relation to the onset of the intracranial fungal infection
• Headache has significantly worsened in parallel with worsening of the intracranial fungal infection
• Headache has significantly improved in parallel with improvement in the intracranial fungal infection
• Headache develops progressively, and is either or both of the following:
  • Holocranial
  • Located in the nuchal area and associated with neck stiffness

Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis.

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