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Cluster Headache

Diagnostic criteria by IHS

A: At least 5 attacks fulfilling criteria B-D

B: Severe or very severe unilateral orbital, supraorbital and/or temporal pain lasting15-180 minutes if untreated

C: Headache is accompanied by at least one of the following:
- ipsilateral conjunctival injection and/or lacrimation
- ipsilateral nasal congestion and/or rhinorrhoea
- ipsilateral eyelid oedema
- ipsilateral forehead and facial sweating
- ipsilateral miosis and/or ptosis
- a sense of restlessness or agitation

D: Attacks have a frequency from one every other day to 8 per day

E: Not attributed to another disorder

Diagnostic

  • Anamnesis (duration, used drugs, social anamnesis)

  • Examination (clinical report of the cranial nerves, cervical spine, teeth- condition, blood pressure)

  • Characterization of headache (throbbing, electrical, sharp)

  • Localisation (occipital, bilateral, unilateral, frontal)

  • Temporary appearance (how often?, how long lasting?)

  • Trigger (menstruation, wine, cheese, sleep, sport, sex)

  • Headache questionary by Essen

  • Calender for headache

  • Excluding of other diagnosis (blood pressure, MRT of the head, blood sample)