SUNCT syndrome successfully treated by gamma knife radiosurgery: Case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The SUNCT syndrome (short-unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing) can be very disabling for affected patients and is often refractory to medical management. We report the first case of SUNCT with a successful response to stereotactic radiosurgery without any adverse effect. CASE: After failing optimal medical treatment, a 82-year old male patient suffering from SUNCT syndrome was treated with Gamma knife radiosurgery. The trigeminal nerve and sphenopalatine ganglion were targeted with a maximum dose of 80 Gy each. The patient had complete pain cessation 2 weeks after the treatment, and remains pain-free with no medication at the latest follow-up 39 months after radiosurgery. He did not have any side effect from the procedure. CONCLUSION: Gamma knife radiosurgery is an option for medically refractory SUNCT patients.