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.
Keywords: botulinum toxin; chronic cluster headache; cluster headache; headache; sphenopalatine ganglion.
© 2018 The Authors. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Headache Society.