Semin Neurol 2018; 38(06): 603-607
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1673682
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Cluster Headache and Other Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias

Brian E. McGeeney
1   Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
06 December 2018 (online)

Abstract

The trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias are a group of distinct primary headache disorders that share common characteristics of strict unilateral headache often accompanied by unilateral cranial autonomic features. Cluster headache is the most well-known example, but other than neurologists, practitioners often have limited familiarity with these disorders and treatment options. Delays in diagnosis are typical and treatment options remain suboptimal, associated with limited scientific research into these brain disorders. Improved familiarity with core clinical features by health care providers should lead to earlier referral to specialists, and this education is the responsibility of headache medicine specialists. Optimistically, the last few years have seen lobbying for more federal research support in headache medicine and there has been renewed interest by private industry in potential new treatments for trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias.

 
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