Exploding head syndrome (a.k.a. episodic cranial sensory shock) responds to single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation

Abstract

We present the case of a patient with a sleep disturbance attributed to the exploding head syndrome, recently redefined as episodic cranial sensory shock. The patient, who suffered with concomitant migraine, was treated for headache prevention with daily single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS). Following treatment, he reported a significant reduction in the episodes of exploding head syndrome, albeit not of his migraine. Neurologists could consider sTMS in the management of patients troubled by episodic cranial sensory shock, as it is a safe and noninvasive treatment that might provide benefit for this benign but occasionally bothersome parasomnia.