Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
04:51
Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy
Published on: April 11, 2019
[Japanese SUNCT patient responsive to gabapentin]
Yasuhiro Ito1, Kazunori Imai, Junichiro Suzuki
1Department of Neurology, TOYOTA Memorial Hospital.
Rinsho Shinkeigaku = Clinical Neurology
|May 21, 2011
Summary
This case study highlights a patient with short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) effectively treated with gabapentin. It suggests symptoms may appear with a time lag, requiring further research into optimal treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Neuroscience
Background:
- Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) is a rare primary headache disorder.
- Characterized by severe unilateral orbital or supraorbital pain accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic symptoms.
Observation:
- A 29-year-old Japanese male presented with intermittent orbital headaches, initially misdiagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia.
- Autonomic symptoms (conjunctival injection, tearing) appeared 6 days after headache onset.
- Initial treatments with carbamazepine and loxoprofen were ineffective.
Findings:
- Diagnosis of SUNCT was established.
- Gabapentin treatment (up to 800 mg/day) led to complete resolution of headache and autonomic symptoms.
- Long-term low-dose gabapentin (400 mg/day) maintained symptom control, with only mild residual headache.
Implications:
- This case suggests that headache and autonomic symptoms in SUNCT may not manifest simultaneously, appearing with a temporal delay.
- The findings underscore the potential efficacy of gabapentin in managing SUNCT.
- Further research is needed to establish optimal therapeutic strategies and medication dosages for SUNCT, including long-term outcomes.
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