Cluster headache and intercalated seizures in a young man: therapeutic effectiveness of flunarizine.
A young man suffering from both cluster headache and epilepsy is reported. Since the age of 37 he had recurrent generalized tonic-clonic seizures; one year later cluster headache attacks began. Neurological examination, standard laboratory tests and CT-scan were normal. The EEG showed medium-voltage sharp waves, not blocking upon eye opening, over the right parieto-temporal region. Flunarizine was added to his phenytoin therapy; it controlled both paroxysmal disorders. After six months, flunarizine was discontinued and during a one year follow-up the patient remained symptom-free. This calcium channel blocker can be regarded as an ideal drug in patients suffering from both cluster headache and epilepsy; it controls this headache syndrome and is a useful add-on to standard anti-convulsant therapy.
Astarloa
R
R
Gila
L
L
Gobernado
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005444:Flunarizine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014653:Vascular Headaches / Q000188:drug therapy*
D005444:Flunarizine