Background: Telemedicine has emerged as a promising platform in neurology, particularly for facilitating teleconsultations. However, its role in headache management remains largely unexamined, requiring further investigation to assess patient satisfaction, implementation feasibility, and perceived therapeutic benefits. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study at the Headache Outpatient Clinic of the A. O. U. of Foggia, enrolling 45 patients with primary headache. Each participant completed two virtual teleconsultations (4–8 weeks apart) using the PHASE platform. After each visit, patients completed a validated 20-item questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.92) assessing usability, communication quality, and perceived benefits. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, inferential tests, correlation analyses, and effect-size estimates. Results: All patients completed both teleconsultations. Overall satisfaction was very high (mean >9/10 for both visits), with more than 90% of participants reporting a positive experience. Ease of use reached an average of 6/7, showing significant improvement from T1 to T2. Over 85% of participants reported tangible savings in both time and costs. Willingness to repeat the teleconsultations was also high (~6.7/7) with further increases observed at the second follow-up. Correlation analyses revealed strong associations between patient satisfaction, time savings, and willingness to continue using telemedicine. Effect-size estimates consistently confirmed positive perceptions, suggesting a ceiling effect. Reported limitations were minor and related mainly to occasional technical issues and the inability to perform a full neurological examination. Conclusion: A structured telemedicine protocol for headache follow-up proved feasibility, effectiveness, and high patient acceptability. Teleconsultations enhanced the perceived quality of care and optimized efficient resource utilization, supporting their integration into routine neurological follow-up. Further validation through larger multicenter studies is needed to confirm these findings and expand the available evidence.
Background: Bilateral optic neuritis is a rare condition generally associated with inflammatory, demyelinating, or toxic causes. Its association with glyphosate exposure has rarely been documented. Case Presentation: A 66-year-old man with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and hypothyroidism developed rapid bilateral vision loss within hours after acute inhalational exposure to glyphosate during agricultural work. MRI showed bilateral optic nerve hyperintensity consistent with optic neuritis. Cerebrospinal fluid and serum anti-NMO antibody tests were negative, while visual evoked potentials demonstrated increased latencies. High-dose corticosteroid therapy led to progressive clinical improvement. At follow-up, MRI revealed no new lesions and the patient experienced near-complete visual recovery. Conclusion: This case suggests a possible link between acute glyphosate exposure and reversible bilateral optic neuritis. Early recognition and corticosteroid therapy may support full functional recovery even in severe presentations.
Background: Telemedicine has expanded rapidly in neurological care and is increasingly applied to headache management to improve access and continuity of follow-up. However, patient experience and healthcare system impact in real-world practice remain insufficiently explored. Objective: The objective of this narrative review is to evaluate clinical effectiveness, patient experience, and healthcare system impact in the management of headache disorders. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted, including randomized controlled trials, observational studies, real-world evidence contributions, and reviews addressing telemedicine in headache care. Evidence was synthesized thematically, focusing on clinical outcomes, patient acceptance, and implementation aspects. Results: Available evidence supports the clinical effectiveness and safety of telemedicine in selected headache patients, particularly in non-acute settings and structured follow-up pathways. Outcomes assessed using validated instruments (HIT-6, MIDAS, VAS) are generally comparable to in-person visits. High patient satisfaction and willingness to continue telemedicine are consistently reported, mainly due to convenience and time and cost savings. Real-world studies suggest telemedicine may improve access to specialist care and optimize healthcare resource utilization, although challenges related to digital literacy, organizational requirements, and equity remain. Conclusions: Telemedicine is a valuable component of contemporary headache management when integrated into structured clinical pathways. Beyond clinical effectiveness, patient experience and organizational context are critical for successful implementation. Future research should focus on standardized care models, larger populations, and long-term real-world outcomes.