title: Cluster headache.
abstract: In this article we describe the clinical features, natural history, and clinical variants of cluster headaches, following the modern International Headache Society classification of cluster headaches in its two types: episodic and chronic. The basic pathophysiology is considered to be the trigeminal vascular system, the common final pain pathway, with pain initiated in a cyclical fashion by disordered central hypothalamic pacemaker. Oxygen, rapidly acting ergotamine, or dihydroergotamine preparations serve as abortive treatment of acute attacks; various pharmacotherapeutic options and combination therapies aid in the prophylaxis of cluster headache; and trigeminal radio frequency gangliorhizolysis is a very useful surgical approach in patients with chronic cluster headache who are resistant to medical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Houston Headache Clinic, Texas 77004.
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Mathew
mesh_terms: D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans