Headache and spontaneous glabellar ecchymosis: More than a self-injury behavior?

Abstract

A33-YEAR-OLD MAN PRESENTED to our outpatient clinic for evaluation of severe headaches located at the left eye and forehead and multiple episodes of discoloration of the superior glabella. The pain was described as throbbing lasting for 30–45 min about 2–3 times per month with minimal nausea, photophobia, left eye tearing, redness, and ptosis. The erythema-like lesion developed after a severe headache episode and gradually resolved over the next few days. The patient disclosed habitually rubbing the forehead or face during pain episodes, making an ‘artificial’ post-traumatic skin ecchymosis unlikely.