Oomen (2011) Microvascular decompression of the pterygopalatine ganglion in patients with refractory cluster headache Abstract Background: Cluster headache is an invalidating form of headache. Although cluster headache can be managed pharmacologically, some patients require surgical treatment with varying results. Microvascular decompression of the pterygo-palatine ganglion could be an alternative to traditional surgical management in patients…Read More…
Microvascular decompression of the pterygopalatine ganglion
January 29th, 2012Does oxygen cause “rebound headache”?
December 28th, 2011Geerlings (2011) Rebound following oxygen therapy in cluster headache Abstract Background: Rapid recurrence of a new cluster headache attack following oxygen treatment was named the ‘rebound effect’ by Kudrow (1981). It has never been studied properly. To study this effect, we defined it as a more rapid than usual (for the individual patient) recurrent cluster…Read More…
Frova Flames Out!
January 2nd, 2011Pageler (2010) Frovatriptan for Prophylactic Treatment of Cluster Headache–Lessons for Future Trial Design From Cologne in Germany comes news that the trial of frovatriptan for prophylactic treatment of cluster headache has flamed out. The sponsor has pulled the plug! Dr. Pageler’s paper discusses why. Most people are familiar with Imitrex, a.k.a. sumatriptan, which is a…Read More…
Do chronic patients cycle?
December 26th, 2010Jürgens (2010) Ten years of chronic cluster–attacks still cluster Commentary–Ten years of chronic cluster – attacks still cluster Tim Jürgens is a post-doc working for Arne May at the Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany—and by “post-doc”, I am using academic slang to mean someone who is in the first few…Read More…
Impairment from cluster headache
December 20th, 2010Jürgens (2010) Impairment in episodic and chronic cluster headache Whenever I read in the paper that “such-and-so costs society $100 gazillion dollars a year”, I am always slightly suspicious. I never know where such figures come from, but I do know that whoever’s quoting them wants you to think that whatever-it-is is a problem. So…Read More…
Zapping the Sphenopalatine Ganglion
December 12th, 2010Narouze (2010) Role of Sphenopalatine Ganglion Neuroablation in the Management of Cluster Headache Sick of taking pills or sucking down oxygen? From the Cleveland Clinic comes this review of one of the less invasive forms of surgery for cluster headache—sphenopalatine ablation. Cluster attacks originate in a small part of the brain in the center of…Read More…
Magnesium for Cluster Headache?
December 4th, 2010Mauskop (1995) Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate Relieves Cluster Headaches in Patients With Low Serum Ionized Magnesium Levels Loyal readers (such as there are) will have noted a long pause between this post and the last on this blog. Well, I was promoted to a new faculty position with a dizzying array of new responsibilities. And I…Read More…
Cutting edge research from the AAN
April 28th, 2010AAN Scientific Abstracts (click to see) The American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting! For fifty years, the largest international meeting of neurologists on the planet. The place to go to hobnob with colleagues, try out new toys, and hear about cutting edge research in every facet of neurology. The 2010 meeting took place in Toronto…Read More…
A tree that causes cluster headache?
April 2nd, 2010Benemei S, Appendino G, and Geppetti P (2010) “Pleasant natural scent with unpleasant effects: Cluster headache-like attacks triggered by Umbelularia californica”. Cephalalgia, Feb 1, 2010 (click author to see paper) AUTHORS’ ABSTRACT: Umbellularia californica, a shrub or tree indigenous to southwestern Oregon and northern California, is commonly known as headache tree, probably because it is…Read More…
Altitude and cluster headache
February 2nd, 2010Mampreso E, Maggioni F, Viaro F, Disco C & Zanchin G (2009) “Efficacy of oxygen inhalation in sumatriptan refractory ‘high altitude’ cluster headache attacks” J Headache & Pain 10:465-467 (Click author to see paper) AUTHORS’ ABSTRACT: We describe the case of a 40-year-old woman, affected by episodic cluster headache, who presented with a cluster headache…Read More…