Cluster Headache Operations
Occasionally, surgery is used to treat cluster migraines, particularly when other treatments have failed. There are two forms of surgery that can be used to treat cluster headaches: surgery to cut the nerves that supply the forehead, and surgery to remove the suspected cause of the headaches. The type of surgery that will be most effective for an individual will depend on his or her symptoms and medical history. Surgical intervention is regarded as a treatment of last resort for cluster migraines, and it is not always effective. (10)
Surgical severing of nerves
The nerves that supply the cranium and neck are severed during this procedure. This method is called a trigeminal rhizotomy. It is a relatively novel procedure, and few people have undergone it. Some of the nerves that travel along the side of the head will be severed during the operation. This interrupts the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
This surgery is typically designated for individuals who have failed to respond to other treatments or who suffer from extremely severe cluster headaches.
Cluster headaches are a rare but excruciatingly painful type of headache that can occur several times a day for weeks or months, followed by extended periods of remission. A recent study suggests that trigeminal nerve resection may be an effective treatment for cluster migraines. One hundred individuals with chronic cluster migraines were randomly assigned either surgical or medical treatment. At six months, 60% of patients who underwent surgery were headache-free, compared to only 5% of those who received medical treatment. Trigeminal rhizotomy is associated with certain risks, including facial numbness and paralysis.
The surgical removal of a portion of the cranium (craniotomy).
This type of surgery is typically performed when other treatments have failed or when there is evidence of brain damage caused by cluster migraines.
A portion of the cranium may be surgically removed as a form of treatment. This procedure is known as an anterior temporal lobectomy, which is a subtype of craniotomy. It is a relatively novel technique that has proven effective in treating cluster headaches. A portion of the cranium is removed behind the temple on one side of the head. This removes the region of the brain believed to be the source of cluster migraines.
This operation is not risk-free, however. It can cause seizures, problems with memory, and other complications.
