Sonographic imaging of the great occipital nerve in the diagnosis and treatment of primary headache disorders

Abstract

Primary headaches are a type of headache that occurs independently, without any other underlying medical condition or injury. They are a major concern due to their prevalence in the population and their potential to cause significant disruption to daily life. In past years, new techniques have been developed that utilize sonography in diagnosing and treating headache disorders. Some recent publications have appeared on the use of ultrasound in blocks of the greater occipital nerve and the diagnosis of headaches. For a long time, blocks of the nerve have been performed without target visualization, based on exterior landmarks only. New methods may improve the results of performed procedures. Therefore, this study aims to provide an overview of the applications of ultrasound imaging of the greater occipital nerve in clinical practice.