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Cluster Headache and Intercalated Seizures in a Young Man: Therapeutic Effectiveness of Flunarizine
Author(s) -
Astarloa R.,
Gila L.,
Gobernado J.M.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1989.hed2906377.x
Subject(s) - flunarizine , cluster headache , medicine , epilepsy , pediatrics , anesthesia , phenytoin , calcium channel blocker , electroencephalography , migraine , psychiatry , calcium
SYNOPSIS A young man suffering from both cluster headache and epilepsy is reported. Since the age of 37 he had recurrent generalized tonic‐clonic seizures; one year later cluster headache attacks began. Neurological examination, standard laboratory tests and CT‐scan were normal. The EEG showed medium‐voltage sharp waves, not blocking upon eye opening, over the right parieto‐temporal region. Flunarizine was added to his phenytoin therapy; it controlled both paroxysmal disorders. After six months, flunarizine was discontinued and during a one year follow‐up the patient remained symptom‐free. This calcium channel blocker can be regarded as an ideal drug in patients suffering from both cluster headache and epilepsy; it controls this headache syndrome and is a useful add‐on to standard anti‐convulsant therapy.