 |
|
Cluster HeadacheLocal Anesthetic Abortive Agents
Jeffrey P. Kittrelle, MD;
David S. Grouse, MD;
Marjorie E. Seybold, MD
Arch Neurol. 1985;42(5):496-498.
Abstract
| |
• Cocainization of the sphenopalatine fossa region has been shown to abort acute cluster headaches rapidly. Whether this response occurs by sympathomimetic action or via local anesthetic effect has been unknown. In this study, lidocaine hydrochloride was given as a therapeutic abortive agent to patients with cluster headache to elucidate cocaine's mechanism of action in relieving symptoms and to search for a safe, nonaddicting agent for self-administration. Using a 4% lidocaine solution applied to the sphenopalatine fossa, four of five patients obtained rapid relief of nitrate-induced cluster headaches and associated signs. Lidocaine was also effective in relieving spontaneous attacks. These results indicated that anesthetic rather than sympathomimetic effects are responsible for cocaine-medicated abortion of cluster headache, that transmission of pain in cluster headache likely occurs via the sphenopalatine fossa, and that topical lidocaine is effective in rapidly aborting acute cluster headache.
Author Affiliations
From the San Diego Veterans Administration Medical Center (Dr Seybold) and the Departments of Neurosciences (Drs Grouse and Seybold) and Ophthalmology (Dr Seybold), University of California (Dr Kittrelle), San Diego.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication June 13, 1984.
Reprint requests to San Diego VA Medical Center, 3350 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92161 (Dr Seybold).
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Nasally triggered headache
Farber and Irlbacher
Neurology 2002;59:151-151.
FULL TEXT
Cluster headache: A prospective clinical study with diagnostic implications
Bahra et al.
Neurology 2002;58:354-361.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Oral zolmitriptan is effective in the acute treatment of cluster headache
Bahra et al.
Neurology 2000;54:1832-1839.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
