Overview
SUNCT syndrome stands for Short-lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform headache attacks with Conjunctival injection and Tearing. It is a rare type of headache disorder that belongs to a group called trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs). In SUNCT, people experience very brief but extremely painful headaches, usually felt on one side of the head, often around or behind the eye. These attacks are typically short — lasting anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes — but they can happen many times a day, sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times. Along with the pain, people often notice redness in the eye (conjunctival injection) and tearing on the same side as the headache. Other symptoms like a runny nose, drooping eyelid, or a feeling of fullness in the ear may also occur. SUNCT is considered a primary headache disorder, meaning it is not caused by another underlying disease in most cases, though secondary causes such as pituitary tumors or brainstem lesions have been found in some patients. The exact cause is not fully understood, but the trigeminal nerve — a major nerve in the face — and certain brain pathways are believed to play a central role. The condition can be very disabling because the attacks are so frequent and intense, even though each one is brief. Treatment is challenging. There is no single FDA-approved medication specifically for SUNCT, but doctors often try medications like lamotrigine, topiramate, or gabapentin to reduce attack frequency. Intravenous lidocaine may be used in severe cases. Some patients respond to surgical approaches such as occipital nerve stimulation or deep brain stimulation when medications do not work well enough.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Very brief but severe stabbing or burning pain on one side of the head, usually around the eye or templeRed or bloodshot eye on the same side as the painTearing or watery eye during attacksRunny or stuffy nose on the affected sideDrooping or swollen eyelidAttacks that happen many times per day, sometimes over 100 timesEach attack lasting from a few seconds up to a few minutesSensitivity to light or sound during attacksFeeling of fullness or pressure in the earAttacks that can be triggered by touching the face, eating, or talking
Clinical phenotype terms (23)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for SUNCT syndrome.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for SUNCT syndrome at this time.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for SUNCT syndrome.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to SUNCT syndrome.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What tests do I need to rule out a secondary cause like a tumor or structural problem in my brain?,Which medication do you recommend starting with, and what are the possible side effects?,How will we know if the treatment is working, and how long should I try it before considering a change?,Are there any surgical options available if medications do not help enough?,Are there any known triggers I should try to avoid?,Should I keep a headache diary, and what information should I record?,Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could participate in?
Common questions about SUNCT syndrome
What is SUNCT syndrome?
SUNCT syndrome stands for Short-lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform headache attacks with Conjunctival injection and Tearing. It is a rare type of headache disorder that belongs to a group called trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs). In SUNCT, people experience very brief but extremely painful headaches, usually felt on one side of the head, often around or behind the eye. These attacks are typically short — lasting anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes — but they can happen many times a day, sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times. Along with the pain, people often notice redness in
How is SUNCT syndrome inherited?
SUNCT syndrome follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does SUNCT syndrome typically begin?
Typical onset of SUNCT syndrome is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.