Idiopathic stabbing headache associated with monocular visual loss

Background: Idiopathic stabbing headache, which is a brief, sharp, severe jabbing pain that is confined to the head, responds well to treatment with indomethacin sodium. It may occur as a primary entity but more likely is associated with other types of headache, including migraine. Setting: Emergency department of a teaching hospital. Patient: A 27-year-old man presented to the emergency department with stabbing, sharp pain in the right temporal area associated with complete of loss vision in his right eye. The patient had a history of migraine with aura since 1995. Result: The patient was treated with oxygen inhalation and indomethacin, with complete resolution of his symptoms. Conclusion: A case of idiopathic stabbing headache associated with monocular visual loss was relieved by oxygen and indomethacin therapy.