Sensory function in cluster headache: an observational study comparing the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic and clinical data of the sample

Variables	N		Percentage
Gender
Male	9		56.3
Female	7		43.8
Type of CH
Episodic	10		62.5
Chronic	6		37.5
CH side
Right	9		56.3
Left	7		43.8
Pain in V1
Yes	16		100.0
Yes, shadows	0		0
No	0		0
Pain in V2
Yes	5		31.3
Yes, shadows	7		43.8
No	4		25.0
Pain in V3
Yes	4		25.0
Yes, shadows	5		31.3
No	7		43.8
	Mean (SD)	Median	Minimum	Maximum
Age (years)	41.9 (6.8)	42.0	28.0	56.0
Height (m)	1.73 (0.09)	1.74	1.60	1.80
Weight (kg)	78.94 (11.32)	79.50	60.0	103.0
BMI (kg/m^2)	26.45 (3.63)	25.87	21.3	34.1
VAS (0–10)	9.50 (0.78)	9.95	7.60	10.0
Duration of a CH attack (minutes)	77.5 (55.0)	60.0	10.0	180.0
Time from the first CH (years)	13.4 (10.7)	9.0	1.0	35.0
Age at the onset of CH (years)	27.4 (8.2)	28.0	15.0	41.0

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; CH, cluster headache; VAS, visual analog scale; V1, first division of the trigeminal nerve; V2, second division of the trigeminal nerve; V3, third division of the trigeminal nerve.

Table 2 Descriptive data (mean, SD, median, and range) and comparative analysis (P-value) for QST comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic sides

Variables	Symptomatic side	Asymptomatic side	P-value
PPT (kPa)
V1	423.81 (174.05)/400 (165–774)	480.13 (214.99)/466 (178–865)	0.011*
V2	288.88 (140.80)/311 (54–579)	326.38 (137.33)/365 (146–532)	0.023*
V3	259.63 (96.90)/285 (105–418)	284.63 (138.50)/285 (104–535)	0.127
Cranium	452.19 (190.11)/474 (163–779)	467.25 (223.79)/449 (155–1,029)	0.605
Upper trapezius muscle	359.31 (194.36)/316 (84–772)	377.88 (210.31)/323.00 (96–732)	0.352
C2–C3 facet joint	324.94 (139.59)/352 (137–560)	346.81 (174.52)/364 (108–633)	0.535
Suboccipital muscles	375.94 (160.48)/398 (143–627)	413.31 (169.39)/436 (151–715)	0.056
Thenar eminence	553.69 (257.65)/525.00 (244–1,009)	609.81 (249.79)/641 (188–978)	0.088
TDT
V1	2.42 (0.40)/2.44 (1.65–3.22)	1.74 (0.24)/1.65 (1.65–2.40)	0.002**
V2	1.92 (0.34)/1.65 (1.54–2.40)	1.67 (0.09)/1.65 (1.65–2.01)	0.016*
V3	1.93 (0.40)/1.65 (1.65–2.83)	1.74 (0.24)/1.65 (1.65–2.36)	0.068
Ear	1.72 (0.19)/1.65 (1.65–2.36)	1.65 (0.00)/1.65 (1.65–1.65)	0.180
Neck	1.97 (0.39)/1.65 (1.65–2.64)	1.79 (0.27)/1.65 (1.65–2.44)	0.073
Thenar eminence	2.56 (0.33)/2.44 (2.36–3.61)	2.56 (0.32)/2.44 (2.36–3.61)	0.891
PDT
V1	4.40 (0.90)/4.56 (1.65–6.10)	4.38 (0.55)/4.17 (3.61–6.10)	0.440
V2	4.40 (0.46)/4.31 (3.84–5.88)	4.38 (0.59)/4.24 (3.84–6.45)	0.892
V3	4.35 (0.46)/4.24 (3.84–5.88)	4.39 (0.51)/4.31 (3.84–6.10)	0.180
Ear	4.58 (0.63)/4.56 (3.61–6.55)	4.56 (0.61)/4.56 (3.61–6.55)	0.715
Neck	4.59 (0.65)/4.65 (3.61–6.55)	4.59 (0.66)/4.56 (3.84–6.55)	1.000
Thenar eminence	4.69 (0.39)/4.56 (4.08–5.88)	4.72 (0.44)/4.56 (4.08–6.10)	0.465
2PDT (mm)
V1	18.13 (4.70)/20 (10–25)	15.0 (4.92)/15 (5–20)	0.004**
V2	10.16 (4.96)/10 (5–20)	10.47 (3.90)/10 (5–15)	0.670
V3	14.06 (3.28)/15 (10–20)	12.97 (3.79)/15 (5–15)	0.149
Neck	45.31 (20.65)/40 (15–95)	38.44 (16.10)/35 (10–90)	0.007**
Thenar eminence	13.28 (2.37)/15 (10–15)	13.12 (2.14)/15 (10–15)	0.564

Notes:

* Level of significance, P<0.05.

** Level of significance, P<0.001.

Abbreviations: 2PDT, two-point detection threshold; PDT, prick detection threshold; PPT, pressure pain threshold; QST, quantitative sensory testing; TDT, tactile detection threshold; V1, first division of the trigeminal nerve; V2, second division of the trigeminal nerve; V3, third division of the trigeminal nerve.

Table 3 Descriptive data (mean, SD, median, and range) and comparative analysis (P-value) for QST in the symptomatic side comparing patients without symptoms in V2, with shadows in V2, and with symptoms in V2

Variables	Patients without symptoms in V2 (n=4)	Patients with shadows in V2 (n=7)	Patients with symptoms in V2 (n=5)	P-value
PPT (kPa)
V1	530.00 (105.48)/532 (400–655)	331.43 (123.41)/364 (165–515)	468.20 (231.81)/400 (247–774)	0.149
V2	436.50 (108.26)/423 (321–579)	239.29 (85.85)/212 (149–365)	240.20 (159.49)/301 (54–403)	0.069
V3	345.50 (66.51)/342 (280–418)	207.76 (74.32)/197 (105–301)	264.20 (106.85)/301 (146–395)	0.114
Cranium	656.00 (92.86)/644 (557–779)	358.43 (155.59)/380 (163–547)	420.40 (185.93)/432 (236–676)	0.034*
Upper trapezius muscle	508.50 (191.77)/475 (312–772)	280.00 (94.59)/250 (183–451)	351.00 (259.44)/307 (84–684)	0.181
C2–C3 facet joint	448.25 (113.32)/462 (309–560)	252.43 (127.88)/167 (137–432)	327.80 (120.37)/381 (179–456)	0.081
Suboccipital muscles	515.50 (88.40)/522 (403–615)	322.43 (165.23)/298 (143–627)	339.20 (153.58)/395 (163–497)	0.092
Thenar eminence	744.00 (275.61)/759 (448–1,009)	445.14 (257.44)/294 (244–939)	553.10 (189.00)/508 (413–876)	0.114
TDT
V1	2.35 (0.56)/2.36 (1.65–3.03)	2.42 (0.45)/2.44 (1.65–3.22)	2.50 (0.19)/2.44 (2.36–2.83)	0.498
V2	1.74 (0.18)/1.65 (1.65–2.01)	1.93 (0.36)/1.65 (1.65–2.40)	2.08 (0.39)/2.36 (1.65–2.36)	0.404
V3	2.10 (0.34)/2.18 (1.65–2.36)	1.93 (0.49)/1.65 (1.65–2.83)	1.79 (0.32)/1.65 (1.65–2.36)	0.421
Ear	1.83 (0.36)/1.65 (1.65–2.36)	1.70 (0.14)/1.65 (1.65–2.01)	1.65 (0.00)/1.65 (1.65–1.65)	0.510
Neck	1.65 (0.00)/1.65 (1.65–1.65)	2.06 (0.42)/2.01 (1.65–2.64)	2.09 (0.40)/2.36 (1.65–2.44)	0.171
Thenar eminence	2.73 (0.59)/2.44 (2.44–3.61)	2.57 (0.25)/2.44 (2.36–3.01)	2.42 (0.04)/2.44 (2.36–2.44)	0.421
PDT
V1	4.05 (1.62)/4.74 (1.65–5.07)	4.26 (0.21)/4.17 (4.08–4.56)	4.89 (0.75)/4.56 (4.17–6.10)	0.131
V2	4.26 (0.36)/4.32 (3.84–4.56)	4.35 (0.22)/4.31 (4.08–4.56)	4.57 (0.75)/4.17 (4.08–5.88)	0.849
V3	4.22 (0.30)/4.24 (3.84–4.56)	4.28 (0.22)/4.31 (4.08–4.56)	4.55 (0.77)/4.17 (4.08–5.88)	0.948
Ear	4.64 (0.38)/4.65 (4.17–5.07)	4.45 (0.38)/4.56 (3.61–4.74)	4.71 (1.05)/4.17 (4.08–6.55)	0.542
Neck	4.49 (0.29)/4.52 (4.17–4.74)	4.40 (0.47)/4.56 (3.61–4.74)	4.92 (1.00)/4.74 (4.08–6.55)	0.652
Thenar eminence	4.49 (0.13)/4.56 (4.31–4.56)	4.74 (0.20)/4.74 (4.56–5.07)	4.76 (0.67)/4.56 (4.08–5.88)	0.201
2PDT (mm)
V1	18.13 (2.39)/15 (15–20)	18.21 (5.53)/15 (10–25)	18.00 (5.70)/20 (10–25)	0.998
V2	10.00 (4.08)/10 (5–15)	10.36 (5.48)/10 (5–20)	10.00 (5.86)/10 (5–20)	0.973
V3	13.75 (4.79)/10 (10–20)	12.86 (2.67)/15 (10–15)	16.00 (2.24)/15 (15–20)	0.241
Neck	53.13 (27.03)/50 (25–90)	37.14 (11.76)/40 (15–55)	50.50 (25.15)/40 (35–95)	0.456
Thenar eminence	13.75 (2.50)/15 (10–15)	12.50 (2.50)/15 (10–15)	14.00 (2.23)/15 (10–15)	0.458

Note:

* Level of significance, P<0.05.

Abbreviations: 2PDT, two-point detection threshold; PDT, prick detection threshold; PPT, pressure pain threshold; QST, quantitative sensory testing; TDT, tactile detection threshold; V1, first division of the trigeminal nerve; V2, second division of the trigeminal nerve; V3, third division of the trigeminal nerve.

Table 4 Descriptive data (mean, SD, median, and range) and comparative analysis (P-value) for QST in the symptomatic side comparing patients without symptoms in V3, with shadows in V3, and with symptoms in V3

Variables	Patients without symptoms in V3 (n=7)	Patients with shadows in V3 (n=5)	Patients with symptoms in V3 (n=4)	P-value
PPT (kPa)
V1	424.00 (166.26)/400 (165–655)	374.40 (114.13)/393 (198–515)	485.25 (264.02)/460 (247–774)	0.816
V2	352.29 (143.38)/356 (152–579)	262.20 (91.15)/269 (149–365)	211.25 (168.31)/194 (54–403)	0.289
V3	285.86 (107.30)/299 (105–418)	229.80 (70.77)/245 (143–301)	251.00 (118.58)/232 (146–395)	0.599
Cranium	514.14 (205.91)/557 (163–779)	393.20 (158.55)/435 (164–547)	417.50 (214.56)/379 (236–676)	0.594
Upper trapezius muscle	394.71 (198.92)/312 (204–772)	307.60 (100.32)/320 (183–451)	362.00 (298.22/340 (84–684)	0.842
C2–C3 facet joint	357.86 (160.85)/401 (144.560)	291.20 (133.74)/324 (137–432)	309.50 (130.72)/302 (179–456)	0.653
Suboccipital muscles	422.71 (142.62)/403 (204–615)	351.00 (190–461)/382 (143–627)	325.25 (173.64)/321 (163–497)	0.473
Thenar eminence	580.29 (297.37)/547 (245–1,009)	515.40 (278.42)/543 (244–939)	555.00 (218.20)/466 (413–876)	0.783
TDT
V1	2.37 (0.40)/2.36 (1.65–3.03)	2.44 (0.56)/2.44 (1.54–3.22)	2.52 (0.21)/2.44 (2.36–2.83)	0.421
V2	1.80 (0.28)/1.65 (1.65–2.36)	2.04 (0.37)/2.14 (1.65–2.44)	2.01 (0.41)/2.00 (1.65–2.36)	0.414
V3	1.90 (0.34)/1.65 (1.65–2.36)	2.04 (0.55)/1.65 (1.65–2.83)	1.83 (0.36)/1.65 (1.65–2.36)	0.743
Ear	1.75 (0.27)/1.65 (1.65–2.36)	1.72 (0.16)/1.65 (1.65–2.01)	1.65 (0.00)/1.65 (1.65–1.65)	0.690
Neck	1.86 (0.37)/1.65 (1.65–2.44)	2.08 (0.45)/2.01 (1.65–2.64)	2.01 (0.41)/2.01 (1.65–2.36)	0.553
Thenar eminence	2.60 (0.45)/2.44 (2.36–3.61)	2.63 (0.27)/2.44 (2.44–3.01)	2.42 (0.04)/2.44 (2.36–2.44)	0.265
PDT
V1	4.15 (1.16)/4.56 (1.65–5.07)	4.31 (0.23)/4.17 (4.08–4.56)	4.98 (0.84)/4.82 (4.17–6.10)	0.290
V2	4.23 (0.27)/4.17 (3.84–4.56)	4.42 (0.22)/4.56 (4.08–4.56)	4.67 (0.83)/4.36 (4.08–5.88)	0.449
V3	4.19 (0.23)/4.17 (3.84–4.56)	4.32 (0.24)/4.31 (4.08–4.56)	4.67 (0.83)/4.36 (4.08–5.88)	0.541
Ear	4.40 (0.48)/4.56 (3.61–5.07)	4.60 (0.08)/4.56 (4.56–4.74)	4.86 (1.14)/4.36 (4.17–6.55)	0.692
Neck	4.34 (0.43)/4.31 (3.61–4.74)	4.49 (0.37)/4.56 (3.84–4.74)	5.13 (1.02)/4.91 (4.15–6.55)	0.251
Thenar eminence	4.55 (0.13)/4.56 (4.31–4.74)	4.77 (0.23)/4.74 (4.56–5.07)	4.82 (0.76)/4.65 (4.08–5.88)	0.274
2PDT (mm)
V1	16.07 (3.49)/15 (10–20)	20.50 (4.74)/20 (15–25)	18.75 (6.29)/20 (10–25)	0.252
V2	9.29 (3.13)/10 (5–15)	11.00 (6.52)/10 (5–20)	10.63 (6.57)/10 (5–20)	0.969
V3	13.57 (3.78)/15 (10–20)	13.00 (2.73)/15 (10–15)	16.25 (2.50)/15 (15–20)	0.285
Neck	43.21 (23.97)/40 (15–90)	41.50 (7.83)/40 (35–55)	53.75 (27.80)/45 (35–95)	0.788
Thenar eminence	13.57 (2.44)/15 (10–15)	12.50 (2.50)/15 (10–15)	13.75 (2.50)/15 (10–15)	0.605

Abbreviations: 2PDT, two-point detection threshold; PDT, prick detection threshold; PPT, pressure pain threshold; QST, quantitative sensory testing; TDT, tactile detection threshold; V1, first division of the trigeminal nerve; V2, second division of the trigeminal nerve; V3, third division of the trigeminal nerve.