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Role of Sphenopalatine Ganglion Neuroablation in the Management of Cluster Headache

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Abstract

Cluster headache is a primary neurovascular headache. It is a strictly unilateral head pain that is associated with cranial autonomic symptoms and usually follows circadian and circannual patterns. Chronic cluster headache, which accounts for about 10% to 15% of patients with cluster headache, lacks the circadian pattern and is often resistant to pharmacological management. The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), located in the pterygopalatine fossa, is involved in the pathophysiology of cluster headache and has been a target for blocks and other surgical approaches. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of the SPG was shown to have encouraging results in those patients with intractable cluster headaches.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pain Management Department, Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Samer N. Narouze

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  1. Samer N. Narouze
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Correspondence to Samer N. Narouze.

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Narouze, S.N. Role of Sphenopalatine Ganglion Neuroablation in the Management of Cluster Headache. Curr Pain Headache Rep 14, 160–163 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-010-0100-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-010-0100-3

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