Highlights
- •Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias(TACs) could be the initial sole brainstem manifestation of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD).
- •An underlying cause for SUNCT /SUNA should be considered, especially if there is a limited response to anti-epileptic medication.
- •The activation of trigeminal-autonomic reflex and ephaptic coupling might be the underlying mechanism of symptomatic TACs in NMOSD.
Abstract
Background
The pathophysiology of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) is poorly understood
at present. Symptomatic TACs are rarely reported in neuromyelitis optica spectrum
disorders (NMOSD). To better clarify this distinct clinical manifestation in NMOSD
and to investigate its possible pathophysiology, we reviewed articles describing such
cases including our own case.
Methods
We performed a search of all clinical studies of TACs in NMOSD published up to September
1st, 2022. We put no restrictions on the year of English publication in our search.
The following keywords were searched: trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, cluster headache,
short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing
(SUNCT), short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with autonomic symptoms (SUNA),
hemicrania continua, paroxysmal hemicrania, neuromyelitis optica, neuromyelitis optica
spectrum disorder, Devic's disease.
Result
We reviewed six cases (five published reports and our own case study) that fulfilled
the diagnosis of NMOSD and TACs. Four of them were SUNCT, one was SUNA, and one was
paroxysmal hemicrania. In three of these cases, headache was the initial sole manifestation.
Only one case had a good response to routine TACs’ treatment. All these patients had
lesions in the medulla oblongata and cervical cord. Three cases’ TACs were side-locked,
and two of them had a left dorsolateral medulla oblongata lesion that corresponded
with the left side TACs, while three cases’ headaches happened on either side of the
head. The phenomenon could be explained by the activation of trigeminal-autonomic
reflex and ephaptic coupling.
Conclusion
TACs could be the initial sole brainstem manifestation of NMOSD. An underlying cause
for SUNCT/SUNA should be considered, especially if there is a limited response to
anti-epileptic medication. The activation of trigeminal-autonomic reflex and ephaptic
coupling might be the underlying mechanism of symptomatic TACs in NMOSD.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 20, 2023
Accepted:
April 16,
2023
Received in revised form:
March 29,
2023
Received:
December 14,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
