Treatment for Cluster Headache: European Academy of Neurology Guidelines

Acute cluster headache (CH), like migraine (MH) and tension type headache (TTH), is a primary headache, ie, there is no detectable underlying pathology to explain the headache.

CH is relatively rare and often disabling. Because it much less common than MH and TTH, CH may be misdiagnosed, especially as MH, although it has its own fairly unique symptoms. Treatment of CH is also different than for MH.

The European Academy of Neurology recently issued a new guide for the treatment of CH. As with treatment guidelines on other primary headache conditions, it divided its recommendations between treatments during the attack and preventive therapies. The following slides highlight the features of CH and the guideline recommendations for acute and preventive management.