前方固定術が著効した頚椎症による難治性顔面痛・頭痛（cervicogenic headache）の1例

Cervicogenic Headache Caused by Lower Cervical Spondylosis

Ⅰ．はじめに

　顔面痛・頭痛の原因には多くの疾患が存在し，ときに診断に苦慮し，特発性などとされることも珍しくない．今回われわれは，4年間にわたる難治性左顔面痛の48歳女性患者において，C5/6レベルの頚椎症に対して前方からの除圧・固定術を行った結果，顔面痛・頭痛の完全な改善を得ることができた1例を経験した．頚椎疾患による顔面痛・頭痛（cervicogenic headache）について文献的考察を加えて報告する．

　We report a rare case of severe facial pain and headache due to cervical spondylosis successfully treated by surgical intervention.

　A 48-year-old woman had been suffering from severe left side facial pain and headache since she was 44 years old. Analgesics were not effective. At 48 years of age, a magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine revealed a degenerated disk at the C5/6 level with encroachment on the foramina and the cord. Anesthetic blockade to the C5/6 facet joint was effective, but was temporary. After the anterior decompression and stabilization using a titanium cage, the pain disappeared completely and has not recurred through 1 year of follow up. This report indicates that lower cervical root compression may cause cervicogenic headache, which can be treated effectively by surgical intervention.