Authors: Matthias Karst, John H Halpern, Michael Bernateck, Torsten Passie
Source: Cephalalgia, March 26, 2010
Cluster headache (CH) is a stereotyped primary headache
characterized by strictly unilateral severe orbital
or periorbital pain and categorized as either episodic or
chronic (1,2). Its prevalence is 0.1% (3). Oxygen and
sumatriptan are the treatments of choice for individual
attacks, whereas verapamil, lithium, corticosteroids
and other neuromodulators can suppress attacks
during cluster periods (1). All standard medication
treatments may be ineffective. Surgical treatment may
be an option for medication non-responders, including
deep brain (4) or occipital nerve stimulation (5).
However, serious complications from brain surgery,
including death, can occur (6).