Diagnostic protocols and newer treatment modalities for cluster headache

• Published in: Disease-a-month Vol. 68; no. 8; p. 101316
• Main Authors: Prasad, Sakshi, Mehadi, Abdulrahim, Kaka, Nirja, Jhaveri, Sharan, Avanthika, Chaithanya, Patel, Neil, Augustine, Ivan, Issani, Ali
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.08.2022
• Subjects: Cluster headache; Headache; Internal Medicine; Literature review; Pain; Primary headache; Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias; Literature review; Headache; Primary headache; Cluster headache; Pain; Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias
• ISSN: 0011-5029; 1557-8194; 1557-8194
• DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2021.101316

Cluster Headaches are one of the most arguably severe forms of primary headache syndrome that affects humans. Although it is relatively uncommon, it has a significant impact on the quality of life. It is a multifactorial disease that has risk factors ranging from seasonal changes, lifestyle habits to genetics. It occurs in 2 forms- Episodic and Chronic, each having its well-defined Diagnostic Criteria. Moreover, Cluster Headache has an exhaustive list of options for both Preventive and Abortive treatment. This article focuses on Cluster Headache, its pathophysiology, risk factors, differentials, and its diverse treatment modalities. In this study, an all-language literature search was conducted on Medline, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar till October 2021. The following search strings and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms were used: "Cluster Headache," "Triptans," "Neuromodulation," and "Migraine." We explored the literature on Cluster Headache for its epidemiology, pathophysiology, the role of various genes and how they bring about the disease as well as its episodic and chronic variants, and treatment options. Although we have a wide variety of options for Preventive and Abortive therapy, newer more effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are being developed, and must be integrated into new treatment protocols.