Lateralisation of pain in cluster headache

Abstract

In 27 patients with cluster headache a careful sensory examination of the entire body was performed. The exam included: the measurement of sensory thresholds with mechanical and electrical stimuli, the assessment of cutaneous and deep hyperalgesia and the ischaemic test of the upper limbs with limbs at rest. In most patients a lateralisation of the findings was observed: cutaneous and deep hyperalgesia were prevalent in the side of cluster headache attacks. The results indicate that in cluster headache, as in other pain syndromes, a lateralisation may be induced throughout the body, probably by phenomena of facilitation in the central nervous system and by activation of reflex arcs.