Sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation in refractory cluster headache: clinical case and literature review

Abstract

Cluster headache is characterized by specifically intense pain when compared to other types of headache. About 1020% of patients report no effect from conservative therapy. Research in this area has led to the use of sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation. The authors provide an up-to-date review of this method, how to select suitable patients, indications for surgery, determining its efficacy, and the risk of complications. The article presents a clinical case of a patient with cluster headache who was implanted with a stimulation system and followed up for 17 months.

Keywords

• cluster headache
• cluster pain
• headache
• neurostimulation
• sphenopalatine ganglion