Severe migraine-like headache as unique symptom of steroid withdrawal syndrome betamethasone-induced in lumbar disc herniation

Abstract

Background. We describe the unusual case of a person suffering from lumbar pain, by herniated disc, treated with betamethasone. The abrupt suspension of the drug caused so called steroid withdrawal syndrome that may occur when receiving a glucocorticoid hormone for a long time it is abruptly stopped. Method. We administered it to a patient suffering from intense lumbar pain. The drug was suspended abruptly a few days after the onset of therapy. Results. The reaction to the suspension of the steroid was the onset of a severe migraine headache, which disappeared with the re-administration of betamethasone. Conclusions. What are the causal hypotheses of this event? An increase in endocranial pressure, of pseudotumor cerebri type? A case of delayed hypersensitivity, since the subject had already taken on betamethasone, without reporting any side effects? We think that the disorder is due to a condition of late hypersensitivity to the steroids, from unknown cause.

Keywords

• betamethasone
• corticoid withdrawal syndrome
• sensitization