Cluster Headache Questions & Answers

1. Goadsby PJ. Pathophysiology of cluster headache: a trigeminal autonomic cephalgia. Lancet Neurol. 2002 Aug. 1(4):251-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

2. Matharu M. Cluster headache. Clin Evid (Online). 2010 Feb 9. 2010:[QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

3. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia. 2018 Jan. 38 (1):1-211. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

4. Holle D, Obermann M, Katsarava Z. The electrophysiology of cluster headache. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2009 Apr. 13(2):155-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

5. Mendizabal JE, Umana E, Zweifler RM. Cluster headache: Horton's cephalalgia revisited. South Med J. 1998 Jul. 91(7):606-17. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

6. Lodi R, Pierangeli G, Tonon C, et al. Study of hypothalamic metabolism in cluster headache by proton MR spectroscopy. Neurology. 2006. 66(8):1624-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

7. Kudrow L. Cluster headache: diagnosis and management. Headache. 1979 Apr. 19(3):142-50. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

8. Torelli P, Beghi E, Manzoni GC. Cluster headache prevalence in the Italian general population. Neurology. 2005 Feb 8. 64 (3):469-74. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

9. Ekbom K, Ahlborg B, Schéle R. Prevalence of migraine and cluster headache in Swedish men of 18. Headache. 1978 Mar. 18 (1):9-19. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

10. Lin KH, Wang PJ, Fuh JL, Lu SR, Chung CT, Tsou HK, et al. Cluster headache in the Taiwanese -- a clinic-based study. Cephalalgia. 2004 Aug. 24 (8):631-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

11. Sjaastad O, Bakketeig LS. Cluster headache prevalence. Vågå study of headache epidemiology. Cephalalgia. 2003 Sep. 23 (7):528-33. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

12. Rozen TD, Fishman RS. Female cluster headache in the United States of America: what are the gender differences? Results from the United States Cluster Headache Survey. J Neurol Sci. 2012 Jun 15. 317(1-2):17-28. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

13. Barloese MC, Jennum PJ, Lund NT, Jensen RH. Sleep in cluster headache - beyond a temporal rapid eye movement relationship?. Eur J Neurol. 2015 Apr. 22 (4):656-e40. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

14. Peterlin BL, Levin M, Cohen JA, Ward TN. Secondary cluster headache: a presentation of cerebral thrombosis. Cephalalgia. 2006. 26(8):1022-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

15. Rozen TD. Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. Neurol Clin. 2009 May. 27(2):537-56. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

16. Sewell RA. Response of cluster headache to kudzu. Headache. 2009 Jan. 49(1):98-105. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

17. Martinez J, et al. Study CGAL: A phase 3 placebo-controlled study of galcanezumab in patients with episodic cluster headache: Results from the 8-week double-blind treatment phase (abstract IOR03LB). Presented at the 60th American Headache Society Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA. June 28, 2018.

18. [Guideline] Edlow JA, Panagos PD, Godwin SA, Thomas TL, Decker WW. Clinical policy: critical issues in the evaluation and management of adult patients presenting to the emergency department with acute headache. Ann Emerg Med. 2008 Oct. 52(4):407-36. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

19. [Guideline] Biondi D, Mendes P. Treatment of primary headache: cluster headache. In: Standards of care for headache diagnosis and treatment. Chicago (IL): National Headache Foundation. 2004. [Full Text].

20. [Guideline] Beithon J, Gallenberg M, Johnson K, et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Headache. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. Available at http://bit.ly/Headache0113. Accessed: March 31, 2014.

21. Calhoun AH, Peterlin BL. Treatment of cluster headache in pregnancy and lactation. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2010 Apr. 14(2):164-73. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

22. Giraud P, Chauvet S. Cluster headache during pregnancy: case report and literature review. Headache. 2009 Jan. 49(1):136-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

23. Tfelt-Hansen P. Acute pharmacotherapy of migraine, tension-type headache, and cluster headache. J Headache Pain. 2007 Apr. 8(2):127-34. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

24. Beck E, Sieber WJ, Trejo R. Management of cluster headache. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Feb 15. 71(4):717-24. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

25. Pageler L, Limmroth V. Oral triptans in the preventive management of cluster headache. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2012 Apr. 16(2):180-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

26. Stochino ME, Deidda A, Asuni C, Cherchi A, Manchia M, Del Zompo M. Evaluation of lithium response in episodic cluster headache: a retrospective case series. Headache. 2012 Jul-Aug. 52(7):1171-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

27. Kano H, Kondziolka D, Mathieu D, et al. Stereotactic radiosurgery for intractable cluster headache: an initial report from the North American Gamma Knife Consortium. J Neurosurg. 2011 Jun. 114(6):1736-43. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

28. Ailani J, Young WB. The role of nerve blocks and botulinum toxin injections in the management of cluster headaches. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2009 Apr. 13(2):164-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

29. Gantenbein AR, Lutz NJ, Riederer F, Sándor PS. Efficacy and safety of 121 injections of the greater occipital nerve in episodic and chronic cluster headache. Cephalalgia. 2012 Jun. 32(8):630-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

30. Franzini A, Ferroli P, Leone M, Broggi G. Stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus for treatment of chronic intractable cluster headaches: first reported series. Neurosurgery. 2003 May. 52(5):1095-9; discussion 1099-101. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

31. Leone M, Proietti Cecchini A, Franzini A, et al. Lessons from 8 years' experience of hypothalamic stimulation in cluster headache. Cephalalgia. 2008 Jul. 28(7):787-97; discussion 798. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

32. Leone M, Franzini A, Broggi G, Bussone G. Hypothalamic stimulation for intractable cluster headache. Neurology. 2006. 67(1):150-2. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

33. May A, Leone M. Update on cluster headache. Curr Opin Neurol. 2003 Jun. 16(3):333-40. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

34. Leone M. Deep brain stimulation in headache. Lancet Neurol. 2006 Oct. 5(10):873-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

35. Fontaine D, Lazorthes Y, Mertens P, Blond S, Géraud G, Fabre N. Safety and efficacy of deep brain stimulation in refractory cluster headache: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial followed by a 1-year open extension. J Headache Pain. 2010 Feb. 11(1):23-31. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

36. Narouze SN. Role of sphenopalatine ganglion neuroablation in the management of cluster headache. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2010 Apr. 14(2):160-3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

37. Narouze S, Kapural L, Casanova J, Mekhail N. Sphenopalatine ganglion radiofrequency ablation for the management of chronic cluster headache. Headache. 2009 Apr. 49(4):571-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

38. Brauser, D. FDA Approves Vagus Nerve Stimulation Device for Cluster Headache. Medscape Medical News. Available at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/878763. April 18, 2017; Accessed: April 26, 2017.

39. Silberstein SD, Mechtler LL, Kudrow DB, Calhoun AH, McClure C, Saper JR, et al. Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation for the ACute Treatment of Cluster Headache: Findings From the Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled ACT1 Study. Headache. 2016 Sep. 56 (8):1317-32. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

40. Jürgens TP, Gaul C, Lindwurm A, et al. Impairment in episodic and chronic cluster headache. Cephalalgia. 2011 Apr. 31(6):671-82. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

41. Rozen TD, Fishman RS. Cluster headache in the United States of America: demographics, clinical characteristics, triggers, suicidality, and personal burden. Headache. 2012 Jan. 52(1):99-113. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

Michelle Blanda, MD Chair Emeritus, Department of Emergency Medicine, Summa Health System Hospital; Professor of Emergency Medicine, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine

Michelle Blanda, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Rima M Dafer, MD, MPH, FAHA Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center

Rima M Dafer, MD, MPH, FAHA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Headache Society, American Heart Association

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: AMGEN, ELI LILLY<br/>Received research grant from: ELI LILLY<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: AMGEN, ELI LILLY.

Niranjan N Singh, MBBS, MD, DM, FAHS, FAANEM Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine; Medical Director of St Mary's Stroke Program, SSM Neurosciences Institute, SSM Health

Niranjan N Singh, MBBS, MD, DM, FAHS, FAANEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Headache Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Joseph Carcione Jr, DO, MBA Consultant in Neurology and Medical Acupuncture, Medical Management and Organizational Consulting, Central Westchester Neuromuscular Care, PC; Medical Director, Oxford Health Plans

Joseph Carcione Jr, DO, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Steven C Dronen, MD, FAAEM Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, LeConte Medical Center

Steven C Dronen, MD, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Ragasri Kumar, DO Resident Physician, Department of Neurology, Loyola University Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward A Michelson, MD Associate Professor, Program Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Health Systems in Cleveland

Edward A Michelson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, National Association of EMS Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lori K Sargeant, MD Consulting Staff, Summa Emergency Associates, Inc

Lori K Sargeant, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Ohio State Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

• Print this section
• Print the entire contents of
• Print the entire contents of article