A Case Report About Cluster-Tic Syndrome Due to Venous Compression of the Trigeminal Nerve

Abstract

Background: The term "cluster-tic syndrome" is used for the rare ipsilateral co-occurrence of attacks of cluster headache and trigeminal neuralgia. Medical treatment should combine treatment for cluster headache and trigeminal neuralgia, but is very often unsatisfactory.

Case: Here, we describe a 41-year-old woman diagnosed with cluster-tic syndrome who underwent microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve, primarily aimed at the "trigeminal neuralgia" part of her pain syndrome. After venous decompression of the trigeminal nerve both a decrease in trigeminal neuralgia and cluster headache attacks was seen. However, the headache did not disappear completely. Furthermore, she reported a decrease in pain intensity of the remaining cluster headache attacks.

Discussion: This case description suggests that venous vascular decompression in cluster-tic syndrome can be remarkably effective, both for trigeminal neuralgia and cluster headache.

Keywords: cluster headache; cluster-tic syndrome; microvascular decompression; trigeminal nerve; trigeminal neuralgia.