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Chronic cluster headache and the pituitary gland
Annelien De Pue1, Bart Lutin2, Koen Paemeleire3
1Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium. annelien.depue@Ugent.be.
The Journal of Headache and Pain
|March 13, 2016
Summary
A pituitary cyst caused chronic cluster headache (CCH) symptoms in a patient, highlighting the need for neuroimaging in atypical CCH cases. Treatment with a dopamine agonist resolved the headache.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Cluster headache is typically a primary headache disorder.
- Symptomatic cases mimicking primary cluster headache have been documented.
Observation:
- A patient with chronic cluster headache (CCH) developed continuous interictal pain.
- A subsequent MRI revealed a cystic pituitary structure.
- Elevated prolactin levels indicated pituitary dysfunction.
Findings:
- A cystic pituitary lesion was identified as the cause of the patient's atypical CCH.
- Treatment with a dopamine agonist led to complete headache resolution.
- The case suggests a potential link between pituitary tumors and cluster headache.
Implications:
- Neuroimaging is crucial for diagnosing atypical or evolving CCH.
- A positive response to acute cluster headache treatment does not rule out secondary causes.
- Shared pathophysiological mechanisms may exist between primary and secondary cluster headache.
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