title: SUNCT syndrome: Short-lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform headache with Conjunctival injection and Tearing.
abstract: The SUNCT syndrome refers to Short-lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform headache with Conjunctival injection and Tearing. It is characterized by brief attacks of severe unilateral pain in the orbitotemporal region, associated with ipsilateral cranial autonomic disturbances. All SUNCT patients experience ipsilateral conjunctival injection and lacrimation. Mean age of onset is 50 years with a male predominance. The syndrome is often misdiagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia or cluster headache. Primary and secondary forms exist, the secondary form is most commonly associated with lesions of the posterior fossa or pituitary adenoma. The SUNCT syndrome is refractory to most commonly employed therapies. Lamotrigine has recently been reported as an effective first line therapy.
authors.affiliation: Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
authors.forename: Patrick L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Alore
authors.forename: Walter M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Jay
authors.forename: Mícheál P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Macken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D050798:SUNCT Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D014227:Triazines; D000077213:Lamotrigine