BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: SUNCT syndrome (short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing syndrome) is described as unilateral orbitary, supraorbitary or temporal pain, characterized as stabbing or throbbing, severe, disabling, of short duration, varying from 5 to 240 seconds. This is a difficult to treat syndrome, however in our case there has been satisfactory analgesia with intravenous lidocaine. CASE REPORT: Female patient, 32 years old, with SUNCT syndrome secondary to pituitary tumor (submitted to transsphenoidal hypophysectomy and radio-surgery), started presenting 30 daily pain crises. There has been no analgesic response to surgical procedure. Pharmacological treatment was started with lamotrigine, chlorpromazine and amitriptyline without pain relief. Patient was submitted to intravenous lidocaine infusion cycles with adequate pain relief. CONCLUSION: In this case of SUNCT syndrome, intravenous lidocaine was able to promote adequate and long-lasting analgesia and may be considered integral part of the treatment of this syndrome.
Headache; Lidocaine; Pituitary tumor; SUNCT syndrome; Treatment