Quiz Form

Question Date: 15/07/2023

Question: Which treatment has not been found to be effective for Cluster headache?

Options:

• Lithium
• Galcanezumab
• Suboccipital corticosteroid injection
• Sodium Valproate

Correct Answer: Sodium Valproate

Explaination: The goal of maintenance treatment is to reduce frequency and intensity of attacks till the cluster duration is over. Oral corticosteroids and suboccipital corticosteroid injections are effective transitional treatments. Verapamil and Lithium are highly effective first line agents. Studies have shown sodium valproate to be ineffective, Subcutaneous Galcanezumab has been shown to reduce the number of attacks during a bout. Anecdotal evidence suggests usefulness of topiramate and gabapentin. Implantable sphenopalatine ganglion stimulator and sphenopalatine ganglion block are also useful.

Reference: Nahas SJ. Cluster Headache and Other Trigeminal autonomic Cephalalgias. Continuum 2021;271(3 Headache):633-651.