Cervicogenic headache (CEH) is a type of symptomatic headache that is characterized by chronic unilateral headache secondary to cervical spine dysfunction. Generally, it gets worse by neck movements, continuous placement of the head in an awkward position and exposure to external pressure on the upper cervical or occipital region.

The pain was demonstrated to originate from lower cervical disc prolapse and spinal nerve roots in some studies, while it is suggested in some others to occur due to the upper cervical region as well. Although disturbed cervical alignment has been determined in tension headache and migraine, there are few studies with controversial results in the literature investigating the effects of the change in cervical lordosis on CEH. These contradictory results strongly influence the decision of whether exercise should be added to the treatment protocol in CEH and also the creation of an appropriate treatment program by the clinicians. In light of this background, the aim of this study was to compare the cervical radiographs of patients with CEH and patients with neck pain without a headache.

The general demographics, pain status and cervical radiological evaluations of the patients was performed in this prospective, cross-sectional, single-blind study evaluating two different disease groups compatible in age and gender and the two groups were compared.

For inclusion in the Cervicogenic Headache group, inclusion criteria determined by the Cervicogenic Headache International Study Group (CHISG) were used.

Symptoms of all patients were questioned in detail and physical examinations were performed. After obtaining demographic information such as age, height and weight, severity and duration of pain were asked to the patients and Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used for pain assessment Cervical radiographic analysis was evaluated measuring general cervical lordosis and upper cervical lordosis on lateral standing X-rays using Surgimap®. General cervical lordosis and Upper cervical lordosis measurements were performed on the lateral cervical graph.

Inclusion Criteria:

For Cervicogenic headache group

• Unilateral headache, starting from the upper neck/occipital region and spreading to the oculofrontotemporal area on the symptomatic side
• Pain triggered by neck movements and/or continuous awkward positions
• Decreased joint range of motion in the cervical vertebra

Exclusion Criteria:

For Cervicogenic headache group

• Previously diagnosed to have any other syndromes of headache (Migraine, Tension headache, etc.)
• Presence of bilateral headache; For the neck pain group,
• Presence of 2 or more neurological symptoms (decreased upper extremity muscle strength, decreased reflexes and hypoesthesia compatible with the dermatome regions)
• Suggesting nerve root compression (radiculopathy, plexopathy); for both groups,
• Presence of any signs suspicious of central nervous system involvement (hyperreflexia, nystagmus, decreased vision, etc)
• Reluctance to participate in the study.

It was included 45 women with cervicogenic headaches with an age of 18-50 years and 45 women with only neck pain in the same ages who presented to the Neurosurgery outpatient clinic.