Handl Syndrome

Transient Headache and Neurologic Deficits With Cerebrospinal Fluid Lymphocytosis (HaNDL syndrome) is a headache disorder in which individuals experience severe to moderate headache attacks, neurological symptoms, and an increase in the amount of a type of white blood cell in the cerebrospinal fluid (lymphocytic pleocytosis). HaNDL syndrome is most often diagnosed in adulthood, although individuals with ages ranging from 7 to 52 have been reported with this condition. The most common neurological symptoms associated with HanDL syndrome include: weakness on one side of the body (hemiparesis), a feeling of altered sensation down one side of the body (hemisensory disturbances), and a loss of the ability to understand or express speech (aphasia). These symptoms usually last between 15 minutes and 2 hours. The cause of HaNDL syndrome is not well understood; however, researchers have suggested a few potential causes, including migraines, inflammation of the tissue that lines the brain and spinal cord, and viral infections. For some individuals, HaNDL syndrome may resolve without treatment, while for others, management of headache and neurological symptoms may be needed.