[Trigeminal autonomic cephalgias: diagnostic and therapeutic implications].

Trigeminal autonomic cephalgias (TACs) are primary headache syndromes characterized by severe short-lasting headaches accompanied by ipsilateral facial autonomic symptoms. The group includes cluster headache (CH), paroxysmal hemicrania (PH), and short-lasting neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT). By far, Cluster headache is the most frequent of these syndromes. Similar hypothalamic and trigeminovascular mechanisms have been discussed as pathophysiologic mechanisms for all TACs. The therapeutic strategies, however, differ considerably. Although unusual, structural lesions in TACs have been described, affecting the therapeutic management.