Trigeminal autonomic headaches caused by a multinodular goiter--a case report.

BACKGROUND

Though thyroid growths are considered to be a frequent cause of Horner's syndrome, concurrent headache attacks are not commonly seen.

METHODS

A 63-year-old woman presented with severe, daily occurring, unilateral headache attacks with ipsilateral Horner's syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging arteriography showed a multinodular goiter displacing the left common carotid artery.

CONCLUSIONS

This case exemplifies the combination of headache attacks and Horner's syndrome due to mechanical pressure of an enlarged thyroid, mimicking the symptoms both of carotid dissection as well as trigeminal autonomic cephalgias like paroxysmal hemicrania.