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Table 13 Clinical characteristics of the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) [33, 37]

From: Reference programme: Diagnosis and treatment of headache disorders and facial pain. Danish Headache Society, 2nd Edition, 2012

 

Cluster headache

Paroxysmal hemicrania

SUNCT

Epidemiology

 Sex ratio, F:M

1:3–6

2–3:1

1:8–12

 Prevalence (%)

0.9

0.02

Very rare

 Age at onset (years)

28–30

20–40

20–50

Pain

 Type

Drilling, throbbing

Drilling

Shooting

 Intensity

Very severe

Very severe

Intense/very severe

 Localisation

Periorbital

Orbital, temporal

Orbital, temporal

 Attack duration

15–120 min

2–45 min

5–250 s

 Attack frequency

1–8 per day

1–40 per day

3–200 per day

 Autonomic accompanying symptoms

Yes

Yes

Yes

 Effect of indomethacin

No

Yes

No

 Attack treatment

Sumatriptan injections/spray, oxygen

None

None

 Prophylactic treatment

Verapamil, lithium, prednisolone

Indomethacin

Lamotrigine, topiramate, gabapentin

  1. SUNCT short-lasting unilateral neuralgia, headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing