SUNCT syndrom

SUNCT syndrome (short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing) is a rare cause of primary headache. A typical patient is a 50-year-old man, who has at least twenty attacks of pain during the day lasting a few seconds or a few minutes. The pain is unilateral, localized to the orbit, temple and cheeks with ipsilateral tearing and conjunctival injection. Pain can also be caused by just touching the affected side of the head.

This syndrome can be mimicked by tumors of the pituitary gland or the posterior cranial fossa, and therefore MRI should be performed in patients with this clinical symptomatology.

Therapy is symptomatic, often only relieving symptoms. According to some studies, treatment with lamotrigine, gabapentin and topiramate is successful.

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