Hypothalamic stimulation for intractable cluster headache: long-term experience.
The authors report long-term results of continuous hypothalamic stimulation in 16 chronic drug-refractory patients with cluster headache (CH). At a mean follow-up of 23 months, 13 patients are persistently pain-free or almost pain-free, and the other 3 are improved. There are no persistent side effects. Hypothalamic stimulation is an effective, safe, and well-tolerated alternative to surgery for chronic patients with drug-refractory CH.
Leone
Massimo
M
Istituto Nazionale Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy. leone@istituto-besta.it
Franzini
Angelo
A
Broggi
Giovanni
G
Bussone
Gennaro
G
D000328:Adult; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method