Cluster headache: When to worry? Two case reports. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bellamio, Matteo; Anglani, Mariagiulia; Mainardi, Federico; Zanchin, Giorgio; Maggioni, Ferdinando
• Is Part Of: Cephalalgia. Volume 37:Number 5(2017)
• Page Start: 491
• Page End: 495
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Cluster headache -- secondary cluster headache -- cavernous angioma -- cerebral venous thrombosis -- multiple sclerosis -- cluster headache mechanism; Headache -- Periodicals; 616.8491
• DOI: 10.1177/0333102416652094
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0333-1024

Abstract

Background: The clinical criteria for cluster headache (CH) are included in Chapter 3 of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd beta edition (ICHD-III). CH may sometimes be secondary to other pathologies. Case reports: We report two patients in whom the clinical features of CH initially fulfilled the ICHD-III criteria, but who later presented some radical modifications in headache natural history as a result of a secondary pathology. The first case of CH was secondary to a pontine cavernous angioma and the second to a cerebral venous thrombosis. Conclusion: We highlight the importance of clinical modifications of CH that could suggest clinical investigations should be performed or repeated to exclude a secondary pathology in a previously diagnosed cluster headache. Some of the pathological mechanisms of CH and brain lesions are discussed.