Different forms of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias in the same patient: description of a case

J Headache Pain. 2010 Jun;11(3):281-4. doi: 10.1007/s10194-010-0210-7. Epub 2010 Apr 8.

Abstract

The trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs), including cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania and SUNCT, are characterized by the cardinal combination of short-lasting unilateral pain and autonomic phenomena affecting the head. Hemicrania continua (HC) shares many clinical characteristics with TACs, including unilateral pain and ipsilateral autonomic features. Nevertheless, HC is separately classified in the revised International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II). Here, we describe the case of a 45-year-old man presenting an unusual concurrence of different forms of primary headaches associated with autonomic signs, including subsequently ipsilateral cluster headache, SUNCT and HC. This report supports the theory that common mechanisms could be involved in pathophysiology of different primary headache syndromes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Autonomic Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Arteries / innervation
  • Cerebral Arteries / physiopathology
  • Cluster Headache / complications
  • Cluster Headache / diagnosis
  • Cluster Headache / physiopathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Headache / complications
  • Headache / diagnosis
  • Headache / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • SUNCT Syndrome / complications
  • SUNCT Syndrome / diagnosis
  • SUNCT Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias / diagnosis
  • Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias / physiopathology*
  • Trigeminal Nerve / physiopathology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Anticonvulsants