Transnasal endoscopy-guided percutaneous access to the sphenopalatine ganglion for neurostimulation in the treatment of primary headache: operative technique and feasibility

Abstract Objectives: Cluster headache is considered a trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia and may present with characteristic symptoms of sympathetic/parasympathetic activation on the affected side of the face, such as nasal discharge, tearing, and conjunctival injection. Invasive therapies targeting the sphenopalatine ganglion have been performed in these headache syndromes and can have a medication-sparing effect, especially in refractory, difficult-to-manage cases. The gate control theory of pain suggests that electric pulses delivered to nerve tissues can modulate neuronal activity, thus aiding in management of nociceptive or neuropathic pain, and studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of sphenopalatine ganglion neurostimulation. Within this context, we sought to assess the feasibility of a new surgical technique for neurostimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion in a cadaver dissection model. Methods: The technique was developed through dissection of two cadaver heads. We divided the procedure into two stages: an endonasal endoscopic approach to expose the sphenopalatine ganglion and confirm electrode placement, and a cervicofacial approach to introduce the electrode array and position the internal pulse-generator unit. Computed tomography was performed to confirm implant placement at the end of the procedure. Results: The pulse-generator unit was successfully placed through a retroauricular incision, as is already standard for cochlear implant placement. This should reduce the incidence of perioperative sequelae, especially pain and swelling in the oral region, which are a common complication of previous approaches used for this purpose. Control imaging confirmed proper electrode placement. The device used in this study allows the patient to modulate the intensity of the stimulus, reducing or even obviating the need for drug therapy. Conclusion: The novel technique described herein, based on percutaneous access guided by transmaxillary endoscopy, can provide great precision in electrode array positioning and decreased perioperative morbidity, combining the advantages of endoscopic approaches with those of the retroauricular route. Level of evidence: 3.

Insights on the terminology and on some pathophysiological aspects of cluster headache and related conditions / Insights sobre a terminologia e alguns aspectos fisiopatológicos da cefaléia em salvas e condições relacionadas

Introduction: Cluster headache and the more recently reported "related conditions",namely Chronic Paroxysmal Hemicrania, Short lasting, unilateral, Neuralgiform Headache with Conjunctival Injection and Tearing (SUNCT) Syndrome and (possibly also) Hemicrania Continua, are one of the fascinating groups of conditions in Neurology whose cardinal features are the almost absolute unilaterality of pain, its excruciating severity, besides the prominent mainly facial autonomic disturbances and overall the intriguing biorhythmicity. Beyond any doubt, the progress of our knowledge about the mechanisms of these conditions has been considerable, but there is always room for reflection on where we are and where we can go. Objective: The objectives of the present study are to analyze the metrics of publications on the pathophysiology of these conditions, to explore in detail how proper the term "Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalgia" is, and to comment on their numerous synonyms. Comment: Much is needed to know the exact structures and circuitry involved in the pathophysiology of these conditions; accordingly, a non-compromising and just descriptive term might be useful. Along this line of reasoning and bearing in mind the cardinal points of such conditions, namely, pain in the trigeminal territory, prominent autonomic symptoms, prominent chronobiological features, and the excruciating character of the pain, a terminological possibility would be: Unilateral with Prominent Rhythmicity and Autonomic Symptoms Excrutiating Cephalgia (UPRASEC).

Introdução: Cefaleia em salvas e as "condições relacionadas" relatadas mais recentemente, nomeadamente Hemicrania Paroxística Crónica, Cefaleia Neuralgiforme unilateral de curta duração com Síndrome de Injecção e Lacrimejamento Conjuntival (SUNCT) e (possivelmente também) Hemicrania Continua, são um dos grupos fascinantes de condições em Neurologia cujas características cardinais são a unilateralidade quase absoluta da dor, sua gravidade excruciante, além dos proeminentes distúrbios autonômicos principalmente faciais e, em geral, da intrigante biorritmicidade. Sem dúvida, o progresso do nosso conhecimento sobre os mecanismos destas condições tem sido considerável, mas há sempre espaço para reflexão sobre onde estamos e para onde podemos ir. Objetivo: Os objetivos do presente estudo são analisar as métricas das publicações sobre a fisiopatologia dessas condições, explorar detalhadamente o quão adequado é o termo "Cefalgia Autonômica Trigeminal" e comentar seus numerosos sinônimos. Comentário: É necessário muito conhecimento das estruturas e circuitos exatos envolvidos na fisiopatologia dessas condições; consequentemente, um termo não comprometedor e apenas descritivo pode ser útil. Nessa linha de raciocínio e tendo em mente os pontos cardeais de tais condições, a saber, dor no território trigêmeo, sintomas autonômicos proeminentes, características cronobiológicas proeminentes e o caráter excruciante da dor, uma possibilidade terminológica seria: Unilateral com Ritmicidade Proeminente e sintomas autonômicos excruciantes da cefalgia (UPRASEC).

Chinese evidence, practice guidelines and criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of primary headache / 中华神经科杂志

The migraine, tension-type headache and cluster headache are common primary headaches in clinic. The accurate diagnosis and standardized treatment are important to reduce the disability, chronification and medication overuse of primary headache. With the development of clinical research on primary headache, more and more evidence-based medical data provide guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Particularly, new research progresses have been made in the field of both medication and non-drug treatments of primary headache. Above all, Headache Group of Chinese Society of Neurology drafted the Chinese practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of migraine, tension-type headache and cluster headache. The purpose of these guidelines is to improve the understanding, management, standardized diagnosis and treatment of primary headaches.

Consensus of the Brazilian Headache Society (SBCe) for prophylactic treatment of episodic migraine: part II / Consenso da Sociedade Brasileira de Cefaleia (SBCe) para o tratamento profilático da migrânea episódica: parte II

Abstract Background Migraine affects 1 billion people worldwide and > 30 million Brazilians; besides, it is an underdiagnosed and undertreated disorder. Objective The need to disseminate knowledge about the prophylactic treatment of migraine is known, so the Brazilian Headache Society (SBCe, in the Portuguese acronym) appointed a committee of authors with the objective of establishing a consensus with recommendations on the prophylactic treatment of episodic migraine based on articles from the world literature as well as from personal experience. Methods Meetings were held entirely online, with the participation of 12 groups that reviewed and wrote about the pharmacological categories of drugs and, at the end, met to read and finish the document. The drug classes studied in part II of this Consensus were: antihypertensives, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, other drugs, and rational polytherapy. Results From this list of drugs, only candesartan has been established as effective in controlling episodic migraine. Flunarizine, venlafaxine, duloxetine, and pizotifen were defined as likely to be effective, while lisinopril, enalapril, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, quetiapine, atorvastatin, simvastatin, cyproheptadine, and melatonin were possibly effective in prophylaxis of the disease. Conclusions Despite an effort by the scientific community to find really effective drugs in the treatment of migraine, given the large number of drugs tested for this purpose, we still have few therapeutic options.

Resumo Antecedentes Migrânea afeta um bilhão de pessoas em todo o mundo e mais de 30 milhões de brasileiros; além disso, é um distúrbio subdiagnosticado e subtratado. Objetivo Sabe-se sobre a necessidade de difundir o conhecimento sobre o tratamento profilático da migrânea; por isso, a Sociedade Brasileira de Cefaleias (SBCe) nomeou um comitê de autores com o objetivo de estabelecer um consenso com recomendações sobre o tratamento profilático da migrânea episódica com base em artigos da literatura mundial, assim como da experiência pessoal. Métodos As reuniões foram realizadas inteiramente online, com a participação de 12 grupos que revisaram e escreveram sobre as categorias farmacológicas dos medicamentos e, ao final, reuniram-se para a leitura e conclusão do documento. As classes de medicamentos estudadas na parte II deste Consenso foram: anti-hipertensivos, inibidores seletivos de recaptação de serotonina, inibidores de recaptação de serotonina e noradrenalina, bloqueadores dos canais de cálcio, outros medicamentos e politerapia racional. Resultados Desta lista de medicamentos, apenas o candesartan foi estabelecido como eficaz no controle da migrânea episódica. Flunarizina, venlafaxina, duloxetina e pizotifeno foram definidos como provavelmente eficazes, enquanto lisinopril, enalapril, escitalopram, fluvoxamina, quetiapina, atorvastatina, sinvastatina, ciproheptadina e melatonina foram possivelmente eficazes na profilaxia da doença. Conclusões Apesar do esforço da comunidade científica em encontrarmedicamentos realmente eficazes no tratamento da migrânea, dado o grande número de medicamentos testados para este fim, ainda dispomos de poucas opções terapêuticas.

Acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion combined with conventional acupuncture for episodic cluster headache: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion combined with conventional acupuncture for episodic cluster headache (CH).@*METHODS@#One hundred and eighty patients with episodic CH were randomly divided into a combined group (60 cases, 3 cases dropped off)，an acupuncture group (60 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a sphenopalatine ganglion group (60 cases, 2 cases dropped off and 1 case was removed). The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with conventional acupuncture at Touwei (ST 8), Yintang (GV 24+), Yangbai (GB 14), Hegu (LI 4), etc., once a day, 6 times a week. The patients in the sphenopalatine ganglion group were treated with acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion, once every other day, 3 times a week. On the basis of the conventional acupuncture, the combined group was treated with acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion once every other day. Two weeks were taken as a course of treatment, and 3 courses of treatment were required in the 3 groups. The score of visual analogue scale (VAS), the number of headache attacks per week, the duration of each headache attack and the score of migraine-specific quality of life questionnaire version 2.1 (MSQ) were observed before and after treatment and in follow-up of 3 months after treatment. The clinical efficacy of each group was compared.@*RESULTS@#After treatment and in follow-up, the VAS score of headache, the number of headache attacks per week, the duration of each headache attack, and each various scores and the total score of MSQ of each group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01). Except that the number of headache attacks per week in the combined group was lower than the sphenopalatine ganglion group (P<0.01), other indexes in the combined group were lower than the other two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total effective rate in the combined group was 93.0% (53/57), which was higher than 75.9% (44/58) in the acupuncture group and 73.7% (42/57) in the sphenopalatine ganglion group（P<0.05, P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion combined with conventional acupuncture could reduce the degree of pain in patients with episodic CH, reduce the number and duration of headache attacks, and improve the quality of life of patients. It is more effective than simple conventional acupuncture or acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion alone.

Síntomas de ansiedad y abuso de medicamentos en pacientes con migraña crónica de Trujillo, Perú / Symptoms of anxiety and medication abuse in patients with chronic migraine from Trujillo, Peru

Resumen Objetivo: Determinar la relación del abuso de medicamentos y síntomas de ansiedad en pacientes adultos ambulatorios con migraña crónica en la Clínica SANNA /Sánchez Ferrer, Trujillo-Perú. Material Y Método: Estudio transversal, con una muestra de 104 pacientes con migraña crónica con y sin abuso de medicamentos. Se reportan frecuencias absolutas, relativas, promedio y DE según el tipo de variable. En el análisis bivariado por medio del Chi2 de Homogeneidad y nivel del análisis multivariado, utilizando regresión de Modelos Lineales Generalizados, familia Poisson y Poisson con varianza robusta. Resultados: Encontramos 96 (92.3%) pacientes de sexo femenino, con una edad media y DE 37.1 ± 9.6. A nivel general, 1 de cada 3 pacientes tenían síntomas de ansiedad y 1 de cada 2 pacientes reportaron abuso de medicamentos. La proporción de pacientes con síntomas de ansiedad fue tres veces mayor en el grupo con abuso de medicamentos que aquellos sin abuso de medicamentos. Los pacientes ambulatorios con migraña crónica que abusan de medicamentos tienen 2.28 veces mayor riesgo de padecer síntomas de ansiedad, que aquellos que no abusan de medicamentos. Conclusiones: Los pacientes ambulatorios con migraña crónica que abusan de medicamentos tienen mayor riesgo de padecer síntomas de ansiedad. Por lo tanto, es necesario incorporar soporte psicológico a todos los pacientes con abuso de medicamentos y prevenir efectos secundarios de ese abuso.

Objective: To determine the relationship of medication abuse and anxiety symptoms in adult outpatients with chronic migraine in the SANNA / Sánchez Ferrer Clinic, Trujillo-Peru. Material And Method: Cross-sectional study, with a sample of 104 patients with chronic migraine with and without medication abuse. Absolute, relative, average and SD frequencies are reported according to the type of variable. In the bivariate analysis through the Chi2 of Homogeneity and level of the multivariate analysis, using regression of Generalized Linear Models, Poisson and Poisson family with robust variance. Results: We found 96 (92.3%) female patients, with a mean age and SD 37.1 ± 9.6. Overall, 1 in 3 patients had anxiety symptoms and 1 in 2 patients reported medication abuse. The proportion of patients with anxiety symptoms was three times higher in the group with medication abuse than those without medication abuse. Outpatients with chronic migraine who abuse medications are 2.28 times more at risk of anxiety symptoms than those who do not abuse medications. Conclusions: Outpatients with chronic migraine who abuse medications have a higher risk of anxiety symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to incorporate psychological support to all patients with medication abuse and prevent side effects of that abuse.

Successfully Treated Cluster Headache with Juzentaihoto / 日本東洋医学雑誌

This report describes a case of cluster headaches that was successfully treated with juzentaihoto. A 39-year-old male had been having attacks of cluster headaches for 7 years. During an attack, he took a triptan and nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), but they were not effective and he had lost his good eyesight after the attack. Recently, as the attacks had become more frequently and stronger, he visited our hospital. Physical examination including dry skin suggested that he had kikyo and kekkyo. Therefore, we prescribed juzentaihoto. After 3 months of treatment, the frequency and strength of the attacks decreased. The underlying pathophysiology of cluster headaches incompletely solved. When the responsible localization of organic disease is not clear, Western medicine sometimes have difficulty in relieving pain. On the other hand, we can analyze the case through “yin-yang and xu-shi categorization,” “life force, blood and colorless bodily fluids (3 elements that constitute an organism)” and Gozo-roppu-setsu according to traditional Chinese medicine. Understanding the bodily functions from an Oriental medicine viewpoint, we can prescribe effective oriental medicine to relieve pain.

Development and Validation of the Cluster Headache Screening Questionnaire

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cluster headache (CH) is frequently either not diagnosed or the diagnosis is delayed. We addressed this issue by developing the self-administered Cluster Headache Screening Questionnaire (CHSQ). METHODS: Experts selected items from the diagnostic criteria of CH and the characteristics of migraine. The questionnaire was administered to first-visit headache patients at nine headache clinics. The finally developed CHSQ included items based on the differences in responses between CH and non-CH patients, and the accuracy and reliability of the scoring model were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-two patients with CH, 207 migraineurs, 73 with tension-type headache, and 18 with primary stabbing headache were enrolled. The CHSQ item were scored as follows: 3 points for ipsilateral eye symptoms, agitation, and duration; 2 points for clustering patterns; and 1 point for the male sex, unilateral pain, disability, ipsilateral nasal symptoms, and frequency. The total score of the CHSQ ranged from 0 to 16. The mean score was higher in patients with CH than in non-CH patients (12.9 vs. 3.4, p 8 points, the CHSQ had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 95.2%, 96%, 76.9%, and 99.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CHSQ is a reliable screening tool for the rapid identification of CH.

Frontal Sinusitis Presenting as Cluster-Like Headache

No abstract available.

Differences in Characteristics and Comorbidity of Cluster Headache According to the Presence of Migraine

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cluster headache (CH) can present with migrainous symptoms such as nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. In addition, an overlap between CH and migraine has been reported. This study aimed to determine the differences in the characteristics of CH according to the presence of comorbid migraine. METHODS: This study was performed using data from a prospective multicenter registry study of CH involving 16 headache clinics. CH and migraine were diagnosed by headache specialists at each hospital based on third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3). We interviewed patients with comorbid migraine to obtain detailed information about migraine. The characteristics and psychological comorbidities of CH were compared between patients with and without comorbid migraine. RESULTS: Thirty (15.6%) of 192 patients with CH had comorbid migraine, comprising 18 with migraine without aura, 1 with migraine with aura, 3 with chronic migraine, and 8 with probable migraine. Compared to patients with CH without migraine, patients with CH with comorbid migraine had a shorter duration of CH after the first episode [5.4±7.4 vs. 9.0±8.2 years (mean±standard deviation), p=0.008], a lower frequency of episodic CH (50.0% vs. 73.5%, p=0.010), and a higher frequency of chronic CH (13.3% vs. 3.7%, p=0.033). Psychiatric comorbidities did not differ between patients with and without comorbid migraine. The headaches experienced by patients could be distinguished based on their trigeminal autonomic symptoms, pulsating character, severity, and pain location. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct characteristics of CH remained unchanged in patients with comorbid migraine with the exception of an increased frequency of chronic CH. The most appropriate management of CH requires clinicians to check the history of preceding migraine, particularly in cases of chronic CH.

The Development of Evidence-Based Guideline for Diagnosis and Management of Headache in Korea

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop the clinical guideline for headache by the systematic review and synthesis of existing evidence-based guidelines. The purpose of developing the guideline was to improve the appropriateness of diagnosis and treatment of headache disorder, and consequently, to improve patients’ pain control and quality of life. The guideline broadly covers the differential diagnosis and treatment of tension-type headache, migraine, cluster headache, and medication-overuse headache. METHODS: This is a methodological study based on the ADAPTE methodology, including a systematic review of the literature, quality assessment of the guidelines using the Appraisal of Clinical Guidelines for REsearch & Evaluation II (AGREE II) Instrument, as well as an external review using a Delphi technique. The inclusion criteria for systematic search were as follows: topic-relevant, up-to-date guidelines including evidence from within 5 years, evidence-based guidelines, guidelines written in English or Korean, and guidelines issued by academic institutions or government agencies. RESULTS: We selected five guidelines and conducted their quality assessment using the AGREE II Instrument. As a result, one guideline was found to be eligible for adaptation. For 13 key questions, a total of 39 recommendations were proposed with the grading system and revised using the nominal group technique. CONCLUSION: Recommendations should be applied to actual clinical sites to achieve the ultimate goal of this guideline; therefore, follow-up activities, such as monitoring of guideline usage and assessment of applicability of the recommendations, should be performed in the future. Further assessment of the effectiveness of the guideline in Korea is needed.

Epidemiologic study of cluster headache prevalence in a medium-size city in Brazil / Estudo epidemiológico da prevalência da cefaleia em salvas em uma cidade de médio porte do Brasil

ABSTRACT To determine the prevalence of cluster headache (CH) in Barbacena, a medium-size city in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods The total population of Barbacena is 126,284 inhabitants and the Family Health Strategy Program covers 84,610 of them. In order to identify patients with cluster headache, 36,145 of these inhabitants were screened, following which, a questionnaire was completed by 181 health agents distributed throughout the 28 health posts belonging to the Family Health Strategy network. The completed questionnaires were selected based on the clinical criteria established by the International Headache Society, and those patients (18 years of age or older) with a possible CH diagnosis were later assessed by a headache specialist. This was an observational, cross-sectional study. Results In all, 15 patients were diagnosed as having CH, comprising a prevalence of 0.0414%; or 41.4/100,000 inhabitants. Conclusion The prevalence of cluster headache in Barbacena was lower than that observed in many locations worldwide.

RESUMO Determinar a prevalência de cefaléia em Salvas (CS) em Barbacena, uma cidade de tamanho médio do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Métodos A população total de Barbacena, totaliza 126.284 habitantes e o Programa de Estratégia de Saúde da Família cobre 84.610 deles. A fim de identificar pacientes com Cefaléia em Salvas, 36.145 deles foram rastreados através de um questionário que foi completado por 181 agentes de saúde, distribuídos entre os 28 postos de saúde pertencentes à rede de Estratégia de Saúde da Família. Os questionários preenchidos foram selecionados com base nos critérios clínicos estabelecidos pela International Headache Society, e aqueles pacientes (com idade igual ou maior de 18 anos) com um possível diagnóstico de CH foram posteriormente avaliados por um especialista em dor de cabeça. Este é um estudo observacional, transversal. Resultados No total, 15 pacientes foram diagnosticados com CH, compreendendo uma prevalência de 0,0414%; ou 41,4 / 100,000 habitantes. Conclusão A prevalência de Cefaleia em Salvas em Barbacena foi menor do que a observada em muitos locais do mundo.

The adult patient with headache

Headaches are common in primary care. For safe assessment and management of the patient with headache, a focused history and physical examination are important to identify secondary headache, and find out whether an immediate referral to the emergency department or a non-emergent referral to the neurologist is warranted. The majority of patients with primary headache may be safely managed in the outpatient setting. Key steps include proper categorisation of the primary headache, attention to lifestyle and psychosocial factors, prescription of analgesics for acute pain relief, and the use of preventive medication when indicated. The patient with a cluster headache, a headache of uncertain diagnosis and/or poor response to preventive strategies or a migraine with persistent aura, or a headache with associated motor weakness, should be referred to a neurologist. Secondary headache and the diagnosis of medication overuse headache should be considered in a patient on long-term analgesics with unremitting headache.

Analysis of Inflammatory cytokine expression in cluster headache / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To analysis the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in patients with cluster headache during headache attack period and intermittent period using antibody chips to explore the role of inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of cluster headache. Methods Blood samples from 6 patients with cluster headache were collected during headache attack period and intermittent period. Samples were then centrifugated and stored at - 80 degrees refrigerator. Samples were further labeled with biotin and reacted with antibody chips against 40 major inflammatory cytokines. The target proteins were conjugated with streptomycin antibody labeled with infrared fluorescent agent, and signals were transformed to images by Licor-odyssey scanner. Results In pairwise comparisons, the levels of some inflammatory cytokines were significantly increased during attacks compared to intermittent period including interleukin-1β(44.18 vs. 68.46, P<0.05), interleukin-6(23.08 vs. 36.40, P<0.05), interleukin-8(151.87 vs. 328.12, P<0.05), interleukin-13(23.93 vs. 38.87, P<0.05), monoeyte chemoattraetant protein (454.80 vs. 725.75, P<0.05) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (265.08 vs. 515.74, P<0.05). Conclusion Inflammatory cytokines may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cluster headache. However, the mechanism needs further investigation.

Clinical Features of Cluster Headache Patients in Korea

Cluster headache (CH) is a rare underdiagnosed primary headache disorder with very severe unilateral pain and autonomic symptoms. Clinical characteristics of Korean patients with CH have not yet been reported. We analyzed the clinical features of CH patients from 11 university hospitals in Korea. Among a total of 200 patients with CH, only 1 patient had chronic CH. The average age of CH patients was 38.1 ± 8.9 years (range 19–60 years) and the average age of onset was 30.7 ± 10.3 years (range 10–57 years). The male-to-female ratio was 7:1 (2.9:1 among teen-onset and 11.7:1 among twenties-onset). Pain was very severe at 9.3 ± 1.0 on the visual analogue scale. The average duration of each attack was 100.6 ± 55.6 minutes and a bout of CH lasted 6.5 ± 4.5 weeks. Autonomic symptoms were present in 93.5% and restlessness or agitation was present in 43.5% of patients. Patients suffered 3.0 ± 3.5 (range 1–25) bouts over 7.3 ± 6.7 (range 1–30) years. Diurnal periodicity and season propensity were present in 68.5% and 44.0% of patients, respectively. There were no sex differences in associated symptoms or diurnal and seasonal periodicity. Korean CH patients had a high male-to-female ratio, relatively short bout duration, and low proportion of chronic CH, unlike CH patients in Western countries.

Cefalea en racimos / Cluster headache

La Cefalea en Racimos es una de las cefaleas primarias más dolorosas, con una prevalencia de alrededor de 1-4/1000 adultos de la población general. Aproximadamente el 90% de los individuos afectados experimenta ataques diarios por varias semanas o meses (periodos de racimos o dolor) separados por intervalos libres de dolor que se prolongan por meses o años (periodos de remisión). El restante 10% de los pacientes sufre un patrón más crónico marcado por ataques que persisten por más de 1 año sin periodos de remisión o con periodos de remisión muy cortos. Durante los ataques la mayoría de los pacientes experimenta dolor severo, unilateral,principalmente alrededor de la órbita. El inicio del ataque es rápido y alcanza su pico de intensidad en unos 5 a 15 minutos. La duración usual de los ataques es de 45 minutos hasta 90 minutos, sin embargo pueden prolongarse hasta por 3 o más horas. Se asocian síntomas autonómicos en el mismo lado afectado por el dolor e incluyen inyección conjuntival, epifora, congestión nasal o rinorrea, y Síndrome de Horner de manera parcial. A pesar de que el mecanismo fisiopatológico no se ha dilucidado por completo, su periodicidad circadiana y circanual sugieren la implicación del hipotálamo en la patogénesis de esta afección. La mayoría de los pacientes son manejados de manera exitosa con la terapia médica, la cual puede ser dividida en tratamiento abortivo (como oxígeno o sumatriptan subcutáneo) para ser utilizado durante los ataques y tratamiento profiláctico, el cual busca inducir y mantener los periodos de remisión.

Cluster headache is one of the most painful primary headache disorders with a prevalence of about 1-4/1000 of the adult population. Approximately 90% of affected individuals experience daily attacks for several weeks to months (cluster periods) separated by attack-free intervals lasting for months to years (remission periods). The other 10% of sufferers exhibit a more chronic pattern marked by attacks that persist for longer than 1 year with no remission or only short periods of remission. During attacks, most patients experience severe, unilateral pain, primarily around the orbit. The onset of attack is rapid and reaches peak intensity within 5 to 15 minutes. Attacks typically last from 45 minutes to 90minutes, but they may last longer than 3 or more hours. Associated autonomic symptoms occur on the same side of the headache and include conjunctival injection and lacrimation, nasal congestion or rhinorrhea, and partial Horner syndrome. Despite the pathophysiologic mechanisms remain undetermined, its circadian and circannual periodicity suggest the implication of the hypothalamus in the pathogenesis of the disorder. Most patients are successfully managed with medical therapy; medication management can be divided into abortive treatments (such as oxygen or subcutaneous sumatriptan) for an ongoing attack and prophylactic treatment, which aims to induce and maintain a remission.

<b>Usefulness of Senkito when Taken only During Pain in Cluster Headaches</b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

<p>This report describes a case of cluster headaches that was successfully treated with Senkito. The patient was a 46-year-old female. She had been having attacks of cluster headaches that had continued for 3 days at the change of seasons since she was 30 years old. During an attack, she took a triptan preparation and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), but they were not effective. Recently, the attacks had been increasing in frequency and continued for 1-2 weeks. She visited our hospital for Kampo treatment. We diagnosed her as having <i>oketsu </i>and <i>kiutsu </i>; therefore, we prescribed tsudosan, and the frequency and strength of the attacks decreased. Even if NSAIDs were effective for headaches, they were not consistently effective. We re-examined her and found she had inside biryokotsu, which is tenderness in the orbital part of the frontal bone. We diagnosed her headache as including biryokotsu pain. We prescribed Senkito as required for her biryokotsu pain. It was very effective and the headache vanished after only 30 min. Generally, the potency of Kampo medicines with few structural components is higher than that of those with many structural components. Senkito has only five structural components ; therefore, we concluded that Senkito is effective not only for everyday use but also for use when required. Senkito is one of the most effective formulations for treatment of biryokotsu pain,especially the patient with inside of biryokotsu tenderness.</p>

Efficacy of Antiviral Treatment for Herpes-associated Erythema Multiforme Accompanied by Cluster Headache / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

Parasellar Meningioma Mimicking Cluster Headache Treated with Novalis Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Cluster headache is a unique primary headache disorder characterized by unilateral severe orbital pain with ipsilateral autonomic symptoms. Symptomatic cluster headache can be caused by variable diseases, such as cerebral aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, cerebral venous thrombosis, carotid dissection, pituitary tumor, and meningioma. We report a 33-year-old woman with parasellar meningioma mimicking cluster headache. After Novalis stereotactic radiosurgery, pain attacks disappeared.

Clinical Observation ofShu Feng An ShenNeedling plus Distal Points Selection for Cluster Headache / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy ofShu Feng An Shen(expelling wind and calming mind) needling plus distal points selection in treating cluster headache.MethodForty patients with cluster headache were divided into two groups by using random number table, 20 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened byShu Feng An Shenneedling plus distal points selection, while the control group was by acupuncture with conventional points selection. The pain intensity score (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), lasting duration and attack frequency were observed.ResultThe VAS score, lasting duration and attack frequency were significantly reduced after treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), and the reduction was more significant in the treatment group (P<0.01).ConclusionShu Feng An Shenneedling plus distal points selection can produce a more significant efficacy in reducing pain intensity, lasting duration, and attack frequency in treating cluster headache compared with acupuncture with conventional points selection.