Abstract
There is no more severe pain than that sustained by a cluster headache sufferer. Surgical treatment of cluster headache should only be considered after a patient has exhausted all medical options or when a patient's medical history precludes the use of typical cluster abortive and preventive medications. Once a cluster patient is deemed a medical failure only those who have strictly side-fixed headaches should be considered for surgery. Other criteria for cluster surgery include pain localizing to the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve, a psychologically stable individual, and absence of addictive personality traits. To understand the rationale behind the surgical treatment strategies for cluster, one must have a general understanding of the anatomy of cluster pathogenesis. The most frequently used surgical techniques for cluster are directed toward the sensory trigeminal nerve and the cranial parasympathetic system.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 57-64 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Current pain and headache reports |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2002 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine