title: Segmental cavernous carotid ectasia in a patient with cluster-like headache.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache with severe, unilateral periorbital or temporal pain lasting 15-180 min, accompanied with various cranial autonomic features. A diagnosis of cluster-like headache can be made whenever underlying cause of CLH is present.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report a case where an ectatic cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery triggered CHL, most probably due to compression of the ophthalmic nerve within cavernous sinus. The pathological substrate of a vessel ectasia is degeneration of the tunica intima as a consequence of atherosclerosis and hypertension. On the other hand, cavernous sinus is unique space where parasympathetic, sympathetic and nociceptive fibers are in intimate relationship which is of great importance for understanding of CH pathophysiology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Magnetic resonance imaging and MR angiography are mandatory imaging tools used for precise localization of pathological changes in the cavernous sinus, especially in the group of secondary headaches attributed to vascular disorders.
authors: Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, Diagnostic Imaging Center and University of Novi Sad, School of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia. Electronic address: semnic@open.telekom.rs.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Semnic
authors: Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, Diagnostic Imaging Center and University of Novi Sad, School of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors: Duško
authors: D
authors: Kozić
authors: Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Neurology Clinic and University of Novi Sad, School of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors: Marija
authors: M
authors: Semnic
authors: Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, Internal Oncology Clinic and University of Novi Sad, School of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors: Jasna
authors: J
authors: Trifunović
authors: Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Neurology Clinic and University of Novi Sad, School of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors: Svetlana
authors: S
authors: Simić
authors: Clinical Center of Serbia, Neurology Clinic, Headache Center, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors: Aleksandra
authors: A
authors: Radojičić
mesh_terms: D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000473:pathology; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000209:etiology*; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography
keywords: Cluster headache; Internal carotid artery diseases; Magnetic resonance angiography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias