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Segmental cavernous carotid ectasia in a patient with cluster-like headache
- Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, Diagnostic Imaging Center and University of Novi Sad, School of Medicine, Novi Sad
- Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Neurology Clinic and University of Novi Sad, School of Medicine, Novi Sad
- Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, Internal Oncology Clinic and University of Novi Sad, School of Medicine, Novi Sad
- Clinical Center of Serbia, Neurology Clinic, Headache Center, Belgrade
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Abstract
Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache with severe, unilateral periorbital or temporal pain lasting 15–180min, accompanied with various cranial autonomic features. A diagnosis of cluster-like headache can be made whenever underlying cause of CLH is present.
Methods and resultsWe report a case where an ectatic cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery triggered CHL, most probably due to compression of the ophthalmic nerve within cavernous sinus. The pathological substrate of a vessel ectasia is degeneration of the tunica intima as a consequence of atherosclerosis and hypertension. On the other hand, cavernous sinus is unique space where parasympathetic, sympathetic and nociceptive fibers are in intimate relationship which is of great importance for understanding of CH pathophysiology.
ConclusionMagnetic resonance imaging and MR angiography are mandatory imaging tools used for precise localization of pathological changes in the cavernous sinus, especially in the group of secondary headaches attributed to vascular disorders.
Abstract
Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache with severe, unilateral periorbital or temporal pain lasting 15–180min, accompanied with various cranial autonomic features. A diagnosis of cluster-like headache can be made whenever underlying cause of CLH is present.
Methods and resultsWe report a case where an ectatic cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery triggered CHL, most probably due to compression of the ophthalmic nerve within cavernous sinus. The pathological substrate of a vessel ectasia is degeneration of the tunica intima as a consequence of atherosclerosis and hypertension. On the other hand, cavernous sinus is unique space where parasympathetic, sympathetic and nociceptive fibers are in intimate relationship which is of great importance for understanding of CH pathophysiology.
ConclusionMagnetic resonance imaging and MR angiography are mandatory imaging tools used for precise localization of pathological changes in the cavernous sinus, especially in the group of secondary headaches attributed to vascular disorders.
Keywords
Cluster headache, Internal carotid artery diseases, Magnetic resonance imaging, Magnetic resonance angiography, Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias
Title
Segmental cavernous carotid ectasia in a patient with cluster-like headache
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Pages
70-73
Page views
327
Article views/downloads
670
DOI
10.1016/j.pjnns.2015.01.002
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2015;49(1):70-73.
Keywords
Cluster headache
Internal carotid artery diseases
Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance angiography
Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias
Authors
Robert Semnic
Duško Kozić
Marija Semnic
Jasna Trifunović
Svetlana Simić
Aleksandra Radojičić