Neurology

Your Article Summary

See Latest Articles

Cluster Headache
Pain Practice, 10/30/09

van Kleef M et al. – There are two main clinical patterns of cluster headache: the episodic and the chronic. Episodic is the most common pattern of cluster headache. It occurs in periods lasting 7 days to 1 year and is separated by at least a 1–month pain–free interval. The attacks in the chronic form occur for more than 1 year without remission periods or with remission periods lasting less than 1 month. Conservative therapy consists of abortive and preventative remedies. Ergotamines and sumatriptan injections, sublingual ergotamine tartrate administration, and oxygen inhalation are effective abortive therapies. Verapamil is an effective and the safest prophylactic remedy. When pharmacological and oxygen therapies fail, interventional pain treatment may be considered. The effectiveness of radiofrequency treatment of the ganglion pterygopalatinum and of occipital nerve stimulation is only evaluated in observational studies, resulting in a 2 C+ recommendation. The primary treatment is medication. Radiofrequency treatment of the ganglion pterygopalatinum should be considered in patients who are resistant to conservative pain therapy. In patients with cluster headache refractory to all other treatments, occipital nerve stimulation may be considered, preferably within the context of a clinical study.

Related Articles

See all related articles

Zolmitriptan Nasal Spray in the Acute Treatment of Cluster Headache: A Meta-Analysis of Two Studies
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 10/16/09    Relevance Score: 69%

Cluster Headache As the Result of Secondhand Cigarette Smoke Exposure During Childhood
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 10/07/09    Relevance Score: 68%

Chiropractic care can help treat headaches
Internet Source, 10/05/09    Relevance Score: 68%

Zogenix and astellas announce data published showing the benefits of sumaveltm doseprotm needle-free delivery system
Astellas, 10/23/09    Relevance Score: 64%

FDA Approves APPs Generic Imitrex for Migraines
Internet Source, 10/14/09    Relevance Score: 64%

Today in Headache...keeping you current

Receive free subspecialty "5-minute updates" via email

Treatment of Cluster Headache in Pregnancy and Lactation
Current Pain and Headache Reports, 03/22/10

Primary Transcatheter Patent Foramen Ovale Closure Is Effective in Improving Migraine in Patients With High-Risk Anatomic and Functional Characteristics for Paradoxical Embolism
JACC - Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions, 03/22/10

Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation for acute treatment of migraine with aura: a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, sham-controlled trial
The Lancet Neurology, 03/17/10

 See all of Headache