The characteristic alarm clock headache is a feature of:

 # The characteristic alarm clock headache is a feature of:

A. Auriculotemporal neuralgia

B. Trigeminal neuralgia

C. Sphenopalatine neuralgia

D. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia

The correct answer is C. Sphenopalatine neuralgia.

Sphenopalatine neuralgia / Lower half Headache / Sluder's headache / Horton's syndrome

• Described by Sudian, who concluded the involvement of Vidian nerve. 

• Pain is thought to be generated at the level of pericarotid or cavernous sinus complex. 

• Characterized by unilateral paroxysms of pain in the region of eyes; the maxilla, the ear and mastoid, and beneath the zygoma. 

• There is no trigger zone. 

• Unfortunately, the attacks develop regularly, usually atleast once a day, over a prolonged period of time. 

• Interestingly in some patients, the onset occurs at exactly the same time of day, because of which it is referred to as alarm clock headache