# 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