Meningioma causing gabapentin-responsive secondary SUNCT syndrome

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Oncology

Background:

• Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) is a rare and severe primary headache disorder.
• Symptomatic cases highlight the importance of brain imaging in diagnosing SUNCT.
• The therapeutic options for SUNCT remain limited, with no consistently effective treatments established.

Observation:

• This study reports the first documented case of secondary SUNCT syndrome.
• The secondary SUNCT was attributed to an underlying meningioma.
• The patient's SUNCT symptoms showed complete responsiveness to gabapentin treatment.

Findings:

• The successful treatment of secondary SUNCT with gabapentin provides a novel therapeutic insight.
• This case demonstrates that meningiomas can be a causative factor for secondary SUNCT.
• Gabapentin emerged as a highly effective agent in managing this specific SUNCT presentation.

Implications:

• This case suggests gabapentin should be considered a potential therapeutic option for SUNCT syndrome.
• The findings underscore the necessity of thorough neuroimaging in patients presenting with SUNCT.
• Further research into gabapentin's efficacy in a broader SUNCT population is warranted.