SUNCT/SUNA

Two types of trigeminal autonomic cephalgias (TACs) are SUNCT and SUNA. SUNCT is also known as short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing. SUNCT is characterized by short bursts of severe stabbing or burning pain around one eye, frequently accompanied by redness and tearing from the eye. SUNA stands for short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms. The symptoms are similar to those of SUNCT. Someone with SUNA may have either redness or tearing, or may have neither symptom.

A study of 102 subjects with either SUNCT (65) or SUNA (37) found “more than half of each group had a personal or family history of migraine that resulted in more likely photophobia, phonophobia and persistent pain between attacks.”¹