Chronic cluster headache
ICD-10 G44.02 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of chronic cluster headache.
Chronic cluster headache is a severe and debilitating form of headache disorder characterized by recurrent, unilateral, and excruciating pain typically localized around the eye or temple. These headaches occur in clusters, which can last for weeks to months, followed by periods of remission. Patients often experience accompanying symptoms such as nasal congestion, lacrimation, and ptosis on the affected side. The pain is often described as sharp or burning and can last from 15 minutes to three hours. Chronic cluster headaches are defined as having attacks occurring for more than one year without a remission period exceeding one month. The exact etiology remains unclear, but it is believed to involve hypothalamic dysfunction and may be triggered by factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and changes in sleep patterns. Effective management often requires a combination of acute treatments to relieve pain during an attack and preventive therapies to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.
Detailed headache diaries, patient history, and response to treatments.
Patients presenting with recurrent severe headaches, often requiring differential diagnosis from migraines or other headache types.
Neurologists must ensure comprehensive documentation of headache characteristics and response to therapies.
Assessment of pain levels, treatment plans, and patient follow-up.
Management of chronic pain in patients with cluster headaches, including medication management and interventional procedures.
Pain specialists should document the impact of headaches on daily functioning and quality of life.
Used for follow-up visits for chronic cluster headache management.
Document history of present illness, review of systems, and treatment response.
Neurologists should ensure detailed documentation of headache characteristics.
Chronic cluster headache is characterized by attacks occurring for more than one year without a remission period exceeding one month, while episodic cluster headaches have periods of remission.
