CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW CHANGES IN CLUSTER HEADACHE

Abstract

Serial cerebral blood flow studies performed by the intra-carotid 133Xe method were fortuitously determined during the course of a cluster headache in a 32 yr old man. The initial study was performed about 10 min after the headache began and showed values at the upper limit of normal. Twenty minutes after the headache started a 2nd procedure showed that the autoregulatory response on hyperventilation was normal. Ergotamine tartrate was given i.m. 23 min after the headache began and there was partial relief. A 3rd cerebral blood flow estimation showed abnormally high values.