Chronic cluster-like headache secondary to prolactinoma: uncommon cephalalgia in association with brain tumors.

Abstract

Headache is a common and disabling aspect of pituitary disease. Chronic and episodic migraine are the most common clinical syndromes of headaches related to pituitary tumors, although other types of headache, such as trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs), can also be present. TACs include short-lasting, unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing; paroxysmal hemicrania; and cluster headache. We report on a patient with a chronic cluster-like headache associated with a macroprolactinoma. Although cabergoline, pregabalin, and corticosteroids were not effective as preventive treatments, high-dose verapamil showed good efficacy. Morphine and octreotide were efficacious as abortive treatments for attacks, but pain was only partially responsive to oxygen and refractory to subcutaneous sumatriptan.