Hypothalamic deep brain stimulation for cluster headache: experience from a new multicase series

Cephalalgia. 2008 Mar;28(3):285-95. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2007.01531.x.

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the posterior hypothalamus was found to be effective in the treatment of drug-resistant chronic cluster headache. We report the results of a multicentre case series of six patients with chronic cluster headache in whom a DBS in the posterior hypothalamus was performed. Electrodes were implanted stereotactically in the ipsilateral posterior hypothalamus according to published coordinates 2 mm lateral, 3 mm posterior and 5 mm inferior referenced to the mid-AC-PC line. Microelectrode recordings at the target revealed single unit activity with a mean discharge rate of 17 Hz (range 13-35 Hz, n = 4). Out of six patients, four showed a profound decrease of their attack frequency and pain intensity on the visual analogue scale during the first 6 months. Of these, one patient was attack free for 6 months under neurostimulation before returning to the baseline which led to abortion of the DBS. Two patients had experienced only a marginal, non-significant decrease within the first weeks under neurostimulation before returning to their former attack frequency. After a mean follow-up of 17 months, three patients are almost completely attack free, whereas three patients can be considered as treatment failures. The stimulation was well tolerated and stimulation-related side-effects were not observed on long term. DBS of the posterior inferior hypothalamus is an effective therapeutic option in a subset of patients. Future controlled multicentre trials will need to confirm this open-label experience and should help to better define predictive factors for non-responders.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cluster Headache / physiopathology
  • Cluster Headache / therapy*
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / methods*
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / trends
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamus, Posterior / physiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged