Long-Term Outcome of Patients With Intractable Chronic Cluster Headache Treated With Injection of Onabotulinum Toxin A Toward the Sphenopalatine Ganglion - An Observational Study.
Abstract
[OBJECTIVES] To investigate long-term outcomes in per-protocol chronic cluster headache patients (n = 7), 18 and 24 months after participation in "Pilot study of sphenopalatine injection of onabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of intractable chronic cluster headache."
[METHODS] Data were collected prospectively through headache diaries, HIT-6, and open questionnaire forms at 18 and 24 months after the first treatment. Patients had access to repeated injections when needed.
[RESULTS] An overall significant reduction in cluster headache attack frequency per month (57.3 ± 35.6 at baseline vs 12.4 ± 15.2 at month 18 and 24.6 ± 19.2 at month 24) was found. In addition, there was a reduction in attacks with severe and unbearably intensity (50.0 ± 38.3 at baseline vs 10.1 ± 14.7 at month 18 and 16.6 ± 13.7 at month 24) and an increase in attack free days (4.2 ± 5.9 at baseline vs 19.1 ± 9.4 at month 18 and 12.9 ± 8.8 at month 24).
[CONCLUSIONS] Our findings suggest sustained headache relief after repeated onabotulinumtoxinA injections toward the sphenopalatine ganglion in intractable chronic cluster headache. A placebo-controlled trial with long-term follow-up is warranted.
[METHODS] Data were collected prospectively through headache diaries, HIT-6, and open questionnaire forms at 18 and 24 months after the first treatment. Patients had access to repeated injections when needed.
[RESULTS] An overall significant reduction in cluster headache attack frequency per month (57.3 ± 35.6 at baseline vs 12.4 ± 15.2 at month 18 and 24.6 ± 19.2 at month 24) was found. In addition, there was a reduction in attacks with severe and unbearably intensity (50.0 ± 38.3 at baseline vs 10.1 ± 14.7 at month 18 and 16.6 ± 13.7 at month 24) and an increase in attack free days (4.2 ± 5.9 at baseline vs 19.1 ± 9.4 at month 18 and 12.9 ± 8.8 at month 24).
[CONCLUSIONS] Our findings suggest sustained headache relief after repeated onabotulinumtoxinA injections toward the sphenopalatine ganglion in intractable chronic cluster headache. A placebo-controlled trial with long-term follow-up is warranted.
MeSH Terms
Adult; Botulinum Toxins, Type A; Cluster Headache; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Medical Records; Middle Aged; Patient Generated Health Data; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Patient Satisfaction; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies; Recurrence; Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block; Surveys and Questionnaires