Autonomic disorders in cluster headache, with special reference to salivation, nasal secretion and tearing

Attacks of cluster headache are often associated with symptoms of an autonomic nature. A test battery allowing quantitation of salivation, nasal secretion and tearing has been employed. Fourteen patients examined under basal conditions hardly differed from a group of controls (N = 20). After stimulation with pilocarpine the patients responded like the controls. During attacks we found minimal bilateral salivation, but an increase of tearing and nasal secretion, mostly on the symptomatic side. These results correspond with those found in CPH. The finding of the minimal salivation is consistent with the notion that the headache attacks are associated with increased sympathico-tonus. The results may suggest that the complexity of the innervation pattern of the different secretory organs examined is more marked than hitherto known.