Cluster migraine--an unrecognized common entity.

A review is presented of a distinctive type of vascular headache and its stereotyped features are emphasized, viz. severe non-throbbing character, unilateral and usually peri-ocular localization, frequent nocturnal occurrence and tendency to occur in brief episodes in a clustered pattern over weeks or months, with headache-free periods lasting months or years.Ten illustrative case histories are given and a plea is made for the early clinical recognition of this entity so that patients will not be submitted to unnecessary and potentially hazardous investigative procedures. While the common analgesics and narcotics are usually ineffective, ergotamine derivatives, methysergide and a new compound, BC-105, are highly effective forms of therapy.