Clinical reference cards
Eleven cards for recognising and treating cluster headache
A6 pocket reference for clinicians: screening, ICHD-3 criteria, red flags, the differential, NICE and EAN treatment, and verapamil safety. Every figure is sourced on the card.
77%misdiagnosed at first consultation
3 GPsseen before diagnosis (median, UK cohort)
2.6 yrsmean delay by the 1990s (22 years in the 1960s)
The set
From the first three screening questions to ECG monitoring on verapamil. Open any card to read it in full.
01Screening
The ETCH screen — three questionsErwin Test for Cluster Headache. Three questions asked verbatim, with sensitivity, specificity and predictive values from the validation cohort.
Read card →02Diagnosis
ICHD-3 criteria for cluster headacheICHD-3 §3.1 — all five criteria must be met. Reproduced as published, with the episodic and chronic subtypes.Read card →03Pathway
Primary care pathway — suspected cluster headacheScreen, confirm, check for red flags, then start acute treatment without waiting for imaging or referral.Read card →04Red flags
Red flags — SNNOOP10 and secondary cluster headacheFifteen features that raise the probability of a secondary headache. Screen every new headache patient.Read card →05Differential
Differential — the four trigeminal autonomic cephalalgiasAll four share strictly unilateral pain with ipsilateral autonomic features. Duration and frequency separate them; indomethacin confirms two.Read card →06Differential
Cluster vs migraine — the discriminating featuresDuration, behaviour in attack, laterality, circadian timing and response to oxygen, side by side.Read card →07Epidemiology
The sex ratio — a moving number and a diagnostic trapCluster headache is male-predominant, but the ratio has fallen steadily and contemporary cohorts disagree. Treat it as a weak prior, never a rule-out.Read card →08Guideline
NICE CG150 — cluster headache recommendationsRecommendations on imaging, acute treatment, prophylaxis and specialist advice, quoted as published, with UK off-label notes.Read card →09Treatment
Treatment — EAN 2023 recommendationsAcute, transitional, preventive and refractory options with trial results, and what not to use for acute attacks.Read card →10Safety
Verapamil safety — ECG monitoringCluster headache doses far exceed cardiology doses. Conduction abnormalities are common and dose-independent.Read card →11Diagnostic delay
Why it gets missedThe diagnoses given instead, the features that delay diagnosis, and four questions that shorten the delay.Read card →On the back of every card
Cluster headache tracking and analysis for patients
Hand the card to your patient. The reverse carries QR codes for the MyClusters app on iPhone and Android, and for Instagram.
Request a set
Tell us where to send the printed cards. Once you submit, the print-ready PDF is yours to download straight away.
11reference cards, A6, printed back to back on smooth glossy card
PDFprint-ready file, for your own printing or to share with colleagues
QRon every card, linking your patients to the MyClusters app
Number of sets
1
MyClusters B.V. · Langegracht 70, Leiden, NLReference material for clinicians. Not a substitute for clinical judgement. ·