SUNCT syndrome responsive to lamotrigine.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Short-lasting, unilateral, neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection, tearing, rhinorrhea (SUNCT syndrome) is a headache form generally refractory to drug therapy. Occasional patients with SUNCT have been reported with a successful response to lamotrigine.

OBJECTIVE:

To report two patients with SUNCT treated with lamotrigine.

METHODS:

Clinical history, neurologic examination, and brain magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS:

Both patients with SUNCT syndrome were successfully treated with lamotrigine. In both cases, when lamotrigine was tapered off, the attacks reappeared, only to disappear when the dose was again increased. In addition, lamotrigine was well tolerated and no undesired side-effects were reported.

CONCLUSION:

If the positive effect of lamotrigine in patients with SUNCT is confirmed in other cases, lamotrigine could become the first specific treatment for SUNCT syndrome.

• Authors: Jose M Gutierrez-Garcia
• Journal: Headache (Headache) Vol. 42 Issue 8 Pg. 823-5 (Sep 2002) ISSN: 0017-8748 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12390648 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Analgesics
• Anticonvulsants
• Triazines
• Lamotrigine

Topics

• Adult
• Analgesics (therapeutic use)
• Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use)
• Conjunctiva (physiopathology)
• Female
• Headache Disorders (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Lamotrigine
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuralgia (drug therapy)
• Recurrence
• Syndrome
• Tears (metabolism)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Triazines (therapeutic use)