Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache

Abstract

Headache and pain disorders constitute the leading causes of morbidity and disability in the world. There are many types of headache disorders that have been categorized by the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache is a type of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia and occurs in a unilateral fashion that presents with some autonomic features. There are two kinds of unilateral neuralgiform headache: 1. Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) 2. Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with autonomic symptoms (SUNA) which will be described in detail in this article.Although relatively rare, these headache attacks are easy to recognize, given their constellation of signs and symptoms. SUNCT and SUNA classify as part of the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs). They are considered to be the headache with the most frequent attacks that range from 2 to 600 times daily, but averaging < 100/day. The attacks are usually of moderate to severe intensity and can have throbbing pain or the pain can be sharp at times.