Short-Lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform Headache with Conjunctival Injection and Tearing Secondary to Head and Neck Trauma: Literature Review and Case Report.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of melatonin in improving sleep, autonomic symptoms, and pain in a patient with secondary short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache following trauma.
Results Summary
The study found that melatonin, combined with gabapentin, physical therapy, and psychotherapy, led to significant improvements in sleep, autonomic symptoms, and pain in the patient. The exact contribution of melatonin alone was not isolated, but the overall treatment approach was effective.
Population
A single patient with secondary short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache following head and neck trauma.
Effective Dosage
10 mg per day
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin 10 mg per day | increase | sleep | the patient | - | Significant improvements | #1 |
melatonin 10 mg per day | increase | autonomic symptoms | the patient | - | Significant improvements | #2 |
melatonin 10 mg per day | decrease | pain | the patient | - | Significant improvements | #3 |
gabapentin 300 mg twice daily | increase | sleep | the patient | - | Significant improvements | #4 |
gabapentin 300 mg twice daily | increase | autonomic symptoms | the patient | - | Significant improvements | #5 |
gabapentin 300 mg twice daily | decrease | pain | the patient | - | Significant improvements | #6 |
physical therapy | increase | sleep | the patient | - | Significant improvements | #7 |
physical therapy | increase | autonomic symptoms | the patient | - | Significant improvements | #8 |
physical therapy | decrease | pain | the patient | - | Significant improvements | #9 |
psychotherapy | increase | sleep | the patient | - | Significant improvements | #10 |
psychotherapy | increase | autonomic symptoms | the patient | - | Significant improvements | #11 |
psychotherapy | decrease | pain | the patient | - | Significant improvements | #12 |
a multidisciplinary approach | decrease | pain | the patient | - | reducing | #13 |
a multidisciplinary approach | increase | the patient's quality of life | the patient | - | improving | #14 |
This article reports a case of secondary short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing following head and neck trauma due to a violent assault. Following the incident, the patient began experiencing 4 to 30 shooting/sharp pain attacks per day in the left anterior temporal and supraorbital areas, with an intensity of 10/10 on a numeric rating scale. Each attack lasted between 10 and 60 seconds. These attacks were accompanied by ipsilateral conjunctival injection, tearing, ptosis of the left eye, blurry vision, and occasional rhinorrhea. Significant improvements in sleep, autonomic symptoms, and pain were observed with a combination of melatonin 10 mg per day, gabapentin 300 mg twice daily, physical therapy, and psychotherapy. This case highlights the relevance of a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of challenging cases when there is evidence of more than one contributing factor, with the aim of reducing pain and improving the patient's quality of life.