Migraine, head trauma and sport.

In some people an attack of migraine may be provoked by heading a football or a blow on the face in a rugby tackle. The attack is sometimes alarming and clearly cannot be explained on a basis of trauma alone. Some people only have attacks in this particular circumstance but the majority have spontaneous episodes at other times. The presentation is usually in childhood or early adult life. The syndrome is discussed in relation to reports of seven patients to illustrate the variations which include migraine without headache and persistent features after the attack. The condition is benign but may cause the patient to give up playing football.