[Cluster headache in pediatric population: four case reports and review of the literature]

Cluster headache is a rare cause of primary headache in children. We report four cases with a mean age of onset of 8.6, ranged from 2 to 13 years.

Three males and one female with onset at 2, 7, 13, and 12 years-old, respectively, were included. The symptoms of all patients fulfill the criteria for the diagnosis of cluster headache according to the International Society of Headache.

Despite being rare during childhood, cluster headache should be part of the differential diagnosis of headache in childhood. This report highlights the variable features of this disorder in children, often misdiagnosed. It can be useful in making a quick diagnosis and starting the appropriate treatment early. Verapamil was more effective than flunarizine in terminating the headache in our patients. Oxygen treatment and triptans resulted the treatments with the best response in acute cluster headache.