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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
Published on: May 10, 2017
[Gabapentin in the treatment of SUNCT syndrome]
Pedro Augusto Sampaio Rocha Filho1, Getulio D Rabello, Antonio C Ribeiro Galvão
1Ambulatório de Cefaléias da Clínica Neurológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo SP, Brasil. pasrf@ig.com.br
We report the cases of two women who presented a clinical condition compatible with the SUNCT (short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing) syndrome. Both presented normal clinical and neurological examination and MRI compatible with microangiopathy. The first one related headache attacks for three years, occurring several times a day when she masticated or yawned. She had a history of multiple failed therapies. The pain was controlled after the use of gabapetin (600 mg per day). The second one related she had daily headaches for six months that occurred from 20 to 40 times per day. At the first visit to the ambulatory, she related she was using carbamazepine (600 mg per day) and chlorpromazine (15 mg per day) having a partial response. Administration of gabapentin (1200 mg per day) led to complete resolution of the pain attacks, but the patient continue to have episodes of conjunctival injection.
We report the cases of two women who presented a clinical condition compatible with the SUNCT (short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing) syndrome. Both presented normal clinical and neurological examination and MRI compatible with microangiopathy. The first one related headache attacks for three years, occurring several times a day when she masticated or yawned. She had a history of multiple failed therapies. The pain was controlled after the use of gabapetin (600 mg per day). The second one related she had daily headaches for six months that occurred from 20 to 40 times per day. At the first visit to the ambulatory, she related she was using carbamazepine (600 mg per day) and chlorpromazine (15 mg per day) having a partial response. Administration of gabapentin (1200 mg per day) led to complete resolution of the pain attacks, but the patient continue to have episodes of conjunctival injection.
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