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Role of Sphenopalatine Ganglion Stimulation in Cluster Headache

  • Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias (M Matharu, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Cluster headache attacks are characterized by extreme unilateral pain mostly in the first trigeminal branch and an ipsilateral activation of the cranial parasympathetic system, pointing to a relevant role of the cranial parasympathetic system in the pathophysiology, and therapy of cluster headache. Based on animal experiments and several interventions of the sphenopalatine ganglion (such as an aesthetic or alcoholic blocks and radiofrequency ablation) in cluster headache patients, stimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPGS) as the major efferent peripheral parasympathetic structure was established with an encouraging abortive effect on acute attacks and a frequency reduction over time. In this review, the clinical data and potentially underlying pathophysiological concepts of SPGS are discussed in detail, which in brief point to a relevant role of the parasympathetic system both in the induction and termination of attacks.

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Conflict of Interest

Tim P. Jürgens has received honoraria for lectures and consulting from Autonomic Technologies, Inc., PharmAllergan Germany, Pfizer and MSD Germany. Arne May is funded by the University Clinic of Hamburg and received unrestricted research support from LindeGas (RealFund) and scientific funds by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG); is or has been consultant or speaker for Pfizer, Bayer Vital, GSK, Allergan, ATI, MSD, and Desitin and is an editorial board member of Cephalalgia, J Headache and Pain, European Neurology, and Der Schmerz.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 22529, Hamburg, Germany

    Tim P. Jürgens & Arne May

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  1. Tim P. Jürgens
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  2. Arne May
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Correspondence to Arne May.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias

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Jürgens, T.P., May, A. Role of Sphenopalatine Ganglion Stimulation in Cluster Headache. Curr Pain Headache Rep 18, 433 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-014-0433-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-014-0433-4

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