SUNCT syndrome responsive to lamotrigine.

BACKGROUND

Short-lasting, unilateral, neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection, tearing, rhinorrhea (SUNCT syndrome) is a headache form generally refractory to drug therapy. Occasional patients with SUNCT have been reported with a successful response to lamotrigine.

OBJECTIVE

To report two patients with SUNCT treated with lamotrigine.

METHODS

Clinical history, neurologic examination, and brain magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS

Both patients with SUNCT syndrome were successfully treated with lamotrigine. In both cases, when lamotrigine was tapered off, the attacks reappeared, only to disappear when the dose was again increased. In addition, lamotrigine was well tolerated and no undesired side-effects were reported.

CONCLUSION

If the positive effect of lamotrigine in patients with SUNCT is confirmed in other cases, lamotrigine could become the first specific treatment for SUNCT syndrome.