Deep brain stimulation to relieve drug-resistant SUNCT

The rare primary headache short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) is characterized by 3 to 200 attacks per day of severe unilateral orbital pain. Functional magnetic resonance imaging shows increased blood flow in the ipsilateral posterior inferior hypothalamus during attacks, indicating activation. We report the first patient with SUNCT in whom severe intractable pain (70 per day) was well controlled by electrode implant to and continuous stimulation of the posterior inferior hypothalamus. Ann Neurol 2005;57:925-927.