Beyond coincidence: a case series on the clinical course of coinciding cluster headache and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Limited research has been conducted on co-occurring cluster headache and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks (SUNHA).
OBJECTIVES: This case series aims to explore whether the observed overlap of cluster headache and SUNHA reflects a coincidental co-occurrence or suggests a shared underlying mechanism while also providing insights to improve diagnosis and management of these patients.
METHODS: A retrospective case series of 10 patients with a diagnosis of both cluster headache and SUNHA.
RESULTS: Two patients exhibited simultaneous onset of cluster headache and SUNHA (concurrent cluster-SUNHA), whereas the remaining 8 had consecutive cluster-SUNHA. Overlapping localization of pain and autonomic symptoms were observed in 9 of 10 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 8 patients, revealing an ipsilateral trigeminal neurovascular conflict in half of them. Four patients underwent microvascular decompression, which exhibited varying efficacy on both cluster headache and SUNHA.
CONCLUSION: This study constitutes the most extensive description to date of individuals diagnosed with both cluster headache and SUNHA. The observed co-occurrence of these headache types could suggest a pathophysiological relationship between the 2, which might be explained by a bidirectional interaction between posterior hypothalamic function and trigeminal root demyelination. The role of a trigeminal neurovascular conflict seems likely in this context, with…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health. Reported size: 10 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Calcium Ions in the Physiology and Pathology of the Central Nervous System
- AI-powered in silico twins: redefining precision medicine through simulation, personalization, and predictive healthcare
- In silico functional, structural and pathogenicity analysis of missense single nucleotide polymorphisms in human MCM6 gene
- In Silico drug repurposing pipeline using deep learning and structure based approaches in epilepsy
- Targeting serotonin receptors with phytochemicals – an in-silico study
- In silico exploration of anti-prostate cancer compounds from differential expressed genes
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.