Sunct syndrome

SUNCT Syndrome is a rare primary headache disorder characterized by short-lasting, unilateral, neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection, tearing, sweating, and other symptoms. The acronym SUNCT stands for Short-lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform headache attacks with Conjunctival injection and Tearing. It is a form of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC), a group of primary headache disorders that also includes cluster headache and paroxysmal hemicrania.

Symptoms

SUNCT Syndrome is characterized by severe, unilateral headaches that are very short in duration, typically lasting between 5 and 240 seconds. The pain is often described as sharp, stabbing, or burning, and is usually located in the orbital, supraorbital, or temporal region. The headaches are accompanied by autonomic symptoms, including redness and tearing of the eye, nasal congestion or runny nose, facial sweating, and sometimes eyelid swelling. The attacks can occur many times a day, often in a circadian pattern.

Causes

The exact cause of SUNCT Syndrome is unknown. However, it is thought to involve the trigeminal nerve, the main facial nerve, and the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates many bodily functions. Some cases have been associated with abnormalities in the posterior fossa, such as Arnold-Chiari malformation, or with lesions in the pituitary gland or the cavernous sinus.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of SUNCT Syndrome is based on the patient's symptoms and the exclusion of other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania, and trigeminal neuralgia. Neuroimaging, such as MRI, may be used to rule out structural abnormalities in the brain.

Treatment

Treatment of SUNCT Syndrome can be challenging, as the condition often does not respond well to typical headache medications. First-line treatments include antiepileptic drugs such as lamotrigine and topiramate. Other treatments that may be effective include gabapentin, carbamazepine, and corticosteroids. In refractory cases, surgical procedures such as microvascular decompression or deep brain stimulation may be considered.

Epidemiology

SUNCT Syndrome is extremely rare, with an estimated prevalence of less than 1 in 1,000,000. It affects men more often than women, and typically begins in middle age, although it can occur at any age.

See also

• Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias
• Cluster headache
• Paroxysmal hemicrania
• Trigeminal neuralgia

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Sunct syndrome

Sunct syndrome is a rare disease.

Sunct syndrome Resources
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