The Efficacy of Greater Occipital Nerve Block in Patients With Chronic Migraine

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Aim : In chronic migraines(CM), the rate of benefiting from medical treatment is relatively low, and it is known that patients use analgesics extensively. Greater occipital nerve (GON) block, have been started to be used in chronic migraine patients who were refractory to treatment. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the headache attack frequency, analgesic use, VAS (Visual Analog Scale) and MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment Scale) scores in the 3-month follow-up of patients we had performed a GON block in our clinic for chronic migraine refractory to medical treatment. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 CM patients were included in the study. The number of analgesics used, the number of days with pain, and the VAS and MIDAS scores were recorded before the GON block and at one and three months of treatment. Results: There was a statistically significant (p<0.001*) reduction in the number of days with pain, analgesic use, and the VAS and MIDAS scores in the first and third months compared to the pre-treatment baseline values in patients who had undergone a GON block. No significant differences between the first and third months. Conclusion: After the GON block, we noted a significant reduction of headaches and improved quality of life in patients who had been experiencing severe headaches despite medical treatment. The GON block has an exceptionally high benefit rate, might be considered as a treatment option before migraines gain chronicity, patients are not exposed to an excessive medical burden and increased treatment costs.