A SUNCT-like headache associated with lateral pontine infarction - case series and systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) and autonomic symptoms (SUNA) are trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs). The study explores the potential association between SUNCT/SUNA-like headaches and lateral pontine infarctions.

METHODS

Case series and systematic review.

RESULTS

We present three cases diagnosed with SUNCT following lateral pontine infarction on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), along with a review of these cases and 10 others from the literature.

DISCUSSION AND

CONCLUSION

This review suggests a connection between SUNCT/SUNA-like symptoms and lateral pontine infarctions. The section also delves into the anatomy and pathophysiology of these symptoms, proposing a mechanism involving neural pathway remodelling in the lateral brainstem.