SUNCT syndrome responsive to lamotrigine.
BACKGROUND
Short-lasting, unilateral, neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection, tearing, rhinorrhea (SUNCT syndrome) is a headache form generally refractory to drug therapy. Occasional patients with SUNCT have been reported with a successful response to lamotrigine.


OBJECTIVE
To report two patients with SUNCT treated with lamotrigine.


METHODS
Clinical history, neurologic examination, and brain magnetic resonance imaging.


RESULTS
Both patients with SUNCT syndrome were successfully treated with lamotrigine. In both cases, when lamotrigine was tapered off, the attacks reappeared, only to disappear when the dose was again increased. In addition, lamotrigine was well tolerated and no undesired side-effects were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
If the positive effect of lamotrigine in patients with SUNCT is confirmed in other cases, lamotrigine could become the first specific treatment for SUNCT syndrome.
Gutierrez-Garcia
Jose M
JM
Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Valladolid, Spain.
D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D013577:Syndrome; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000700:Analgesics; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D000077213:Lamotrigine