Greater Occipital Nerve Block Research Articles

The effect of simultaneous administration of occipital nerve block and cervical myofascial trigger point injection (MTrPI) on headache parameters in chronic migraine patients.

Peripheral myofascial mechanisms have been identified as contributors to migraine pathophysiology. The specific comorbid relationship between migraine and cervical trigger points may exacerbate the occurrence and severity of migraine attacks. Trigger point injections (TPIs) are frequently employed to address headaches and alleviate migraine symptoms. The current study explores the impact of concurrent myofascial trigger point injection (MTrPI) and occipital nerve block (greater occipital nerve block [GONB] + lesser occipital nerve block [LONB]) on the severity of headaches and the number of migraine attacks in individuals with chronic migraine (CM) and cervical myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), with a comparison of occipital nerve block alone (GONB + LONB). During trigger point examination and injection, trapezius, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, temporalis, and sternocleidomastoid muscles were targeted. We planned the treatment based on whether they were in the muscle groups we determined, rather than the number of trigger points. This study enrolled 62 individuals experiencing CM with bilateral headache and cervical MTrP who sought care at the Algology Unit within the Departments of Neurology and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation at Siirt Training and Research Hospital between 2020 and 2022. The CM cohort was stratified into two groups: group 1 received trigger point injections (TrPI), while group 2 underwent concurrent bilateral occipital nerve block (GONB + LONB) and TrPI. Both groups underwent three treatment sessions with bupivacaine 0.5% (1ml = 5mg) in weeks 1, 2, and 4. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure the patients' pain intensity. The evaluation included the assessment of the monthly migraine frequency and visual analog scale (VAS) p score for pain before treatment (BT) and after treatment (AT), conducted at baseline and during follow-up visits. Analysis of the data was conducted utilizing IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 28.0 software. Among patients diagnosed with CM and MTrPs, 32 individuals (51.6%) underwent GONB and LONB, while 30 patients (48.4%) received simultaneous GONB, LONB, and cervical MTrPI. Within the entire sample, 51 participants (82.3%) were female, and 11 (17.7%) were male, with a mean age of 32.81 ± 10.75years. With an average age of 32.81 ± 10.75years, there was no statistically significant variance between the two groups (p = 0.516). Of the total cohort, 45 individuals (72.6%) reported experiencing headaches persisting for 12months or longer. Among CM patients, 80% had active trigger points, while 20% had latent trigger points. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups concerning TrPs (p = 0.158), and the distribution of TrPs was homogenous across the two groups. In group 1, the median (min-max) monthly frequency of migraines reduced from 18.5days (range: 15.0 to 25.0days) before treatment to 12.0days (range: 7.0 to 17.0days) after treatment (p = 0.000). In group 2, the median monthly frequency of migraines reduced from 16.5days (range: 15.0 to 22.0days) before treatment to 4.0days (range: 2.0 to 8.0days) after treatment (p = 0.000). The median (min-max) VAS score in group 1 was 8.0 (range: 5.0 to 9.0) before treatment, 4.0 (range: 2.0 to 6.0) at week 1, and 5.0 (range: 4.0 to 8.0) at week 4 (p = 0.000). In group 2, the median VAS score was 7.0 (range: 5.0 to 9.0) before treatment, 0.0 (range: 0.0 to 0.3) at week 1, and 2.0 (range: 0.0 to 0.3) at week 4 (p = 0.000). There were significant distinctions between the groups in terms of both the monthly count of migraine days and the severity of headaches (p = 0.000). The combination of repeated MTrPIs and ONB proves more effective than ONB alone in managing patients with CM and cervical MTrP. In patients with CM, performing TrPs examination and adding treatments for this may contribute to the treatment. In cases where patients endure prolonged episodes of headache associated with chronic migraine, the inclusion of trigger point injections alongside peripheral nerve blocks may offer enhanced therapeutic benefits.

Efficacy of greater occipital nerve block treatment for migraine and potential impact of patient positioning during procedure: Results of randomised controlled trial.

PurposeAssess the efficacy, and potential impact of patient positioning for 10 minutes immediately post-procedure, of greater occipital nerve (GON) block for treatment of migraine. MethodsProspective multicentre non-blinded randomised controlled trial, randomisation and treatment of 60 neurology clinic patients with poorly controlled migraine. Outcomes measured with Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6), modified MIgraine Disability Assessment Scale (M-MIDAS), and RELIEF scores. ResultsPatient positioning did not lead to significant difference in RELIEF score (34% vs 11%, p-value 0.10, Chi-squared test) at day 90. When considered in a multiple regression analysis, the sitting position outperformed supine position significantly (p-value 0.04). However, no significant difference in HIT-6 score between the supine (n = 27) and sitting position groups (n = 33) was detected at baseline (p-value 0.76), day 30 (p-value 0.69) or day 90 (p-value 0.54, Mann-Whitney U-test). The HIT-6 score significantly improved post-GON block, from median 67 (baseline pre-GON) to 59 (day 30) and 62 (day 90) for the supine group and a score of 66, 61–62 for the sitting group (all p-value ≤ 0.001, intra-group comparison using Wilcoxon test); M-MIDAS achieved similar outcomes. Overall, a significant minimal clinically important improvement was obtained with GON block, and the GON injections were deemed very tolerable by patients (median score of 2 on 10 cm pain scale). ConclusionRegardless of patient positioning, GON block is an effective and near-painless procedure for migraine symptom control. Unlike earlier published observational study data, this trial concludes that a sitting patient position immediately post-GON is preferred.

Sphenopalatine ganglion block vs greater occipital nerve block in the management of post dural puncture headache in obstetric patients: a randomized clinical trial

Background: With the increased popularity of spinal anesthesia for a variety of surgeries, the anesthesiologists have to face the increased incidence of post dural puncture headache (PDPH). It is especially cumbersome to the obstetric patients. A variety of management techniques have been used. We compared the efficacy of sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) versus greater occipital nerve block (GONB) for the management of PDPH in obstetric cases.
 Methodology: This prospective, randomized trial, enrolled 120 PDPH cases into two groups. The SPGB group received bilateral SPGB with a 3 ml mixture of 2% lidocaine and 4 mg dexamethasone (in each nostril). In the GONB group, the greater occipital nerves were blocked utilizing a solution of 3 ml mixture of 2% lidocaine and 4 mg dexamethasone on each side. Prior to the procedure, a pain score on numerical pain scale (NPS) was reported. Pain scores were noted at 15 and 30 min, then at 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 h after the intervention. Need for and cumulative dose of analgesics used were recorded. Complications, patient satisfaction, hospital stay for epidural blood patch (EBP), and hospital discharges were also recorded.
 Results: Pain perception in upright position at 30 min and at 2, 16, and 24 h, the need for rescue analgesia and the cumulative analgesic dose within 24 h were significantly lower in SPGB group. Bitter taste was significantly more frequently complained by the patients of SPGB group. In the SPGB group, the EBP was not significantly less prevalent. In the SPGB group, patient satisfaction was noticeably greater.
 Conclusion: The sphenopalatine ganglion block is more effective in relieving PDPH and its associated symptoms than the greater occipital nerve block. Both procedures are easy, safe, more conservative than EBP, and without serious adverse effects. The sphenopalatine ganglion block can be recommended as a first line treatment for PDPH.
 Abbreviations: ASA: American Association of Anesthesiologists; CI: Confidence Interval; CSF: Cerebral Spinal Fluid; EBP: Epidural Blood Patch; GON: Greater Occipital Nerve; GONB: Greater Occipital Nerve Block; PDPH: Post-Dural Puncture Headache; RR: Relative Risk; SPGB: Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block; NPS: Numerical Pain Scale
 Key words: Nerve Block; Obstetrical Analgesia; Post-Dural Puncture Headache; Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block
 Citation: Abdelrazik RA, Toulan HF, Ayoub SNB, Sphenopalatine ganglion block vs greater occipital nerve block in the management of post dural puncture headache in obstetric patients: a randomized clinical trial. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2024;28(1):68-73; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v28i1.2143
 Received: January 27, 2023; Reviewed: March 02, 2023; Accepted: March 02, 2023

A new neuromodulation method in chronic migraine; non-ınvasive pulsed radiofrequency, a single-blinded, randomised, controlled trial.

Non-invasive pulsed radiofrequency (NipRF) therapy, a neuromodulation method for peripheral nerves, is a new treatment modality for pain. We aimed to show the changes in pain severity and frequency per month in chronic migraine with NipRF treatment. We treated patients diagnosed with chronic migraine according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders III beta diagnostic criteria. In half of the patients, we applied pulsed radiofrequency (pRF) treatment with transcutaneous electrodes to the greater occipital nerve (GON) trace. In the other half, we applied the GON block under ultrasound guidance. The Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) was administered to the participants, and those with scores > 2 were included in the study. Pain intensity and frequency were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and a headache diary completed before and 4weeks after treatment. When both groups were compared, the pre- and post-treatment VAS scores and headache frequencies were similar. Comparing the pre-treatment and post-treatment values within the groups, VAS scores and headache frequency decreased significantly after treatment in both groups (p < 0.001). In this study, we observed that NipRF treatment is safe and effective for treating chronic migraine. Pain intensity and frequency decreased with NipRF treatment, similar to that in the GON block group. NCT05499689, Date: 08/11/2022.

Effect of Repeated Greater Occipital Nerve Block in Patients with Ocular Neuropathic Pain: A Retrospective Observational Study

Ocular neuropathic pain (ONP) has various etiologies, and patients have various symptoms. The clinical management of patients with ONP has been debated. We aimed to evaluate the effect of repeated greater occipital nerve block (GONB) on ONP based on convergence in the trigeminocervical complex. In this single-center retrospective study, the medical records of 204 patients who were referred to the pain clinic by the ophthalmology department of our hospital and subsequently underwent repeated GONB for chronic ONP between January 2008 and February 2022 were analyzed. They received GONB every two weeks, up to 10 times. Symptoms of ONP were divided into five categories: eye pain, dysesthesias/allodynia, non-eye pain, visual disturbance, and tearing. The primary outcome of this study was the pain relief scale (PRS) score after repeated injections. The differences and magnitude of decrease in the overall pain relief scale score were statistically significant (estimate = −0.55, p &lt; 0.001). There were two patients who had recurrence of ONP and seven patients who had adverse events. According to our study, repeated GONB can reduce symptom severity in patients with ONP. Therefore, it appears that GONB can be considered a multimodal management method for ONP.

Sphenopalatine ganglion block with or without greater occipital nerve block for treatment of obstetric post-dural puncture headache after spinal anesthesia: randomized controlled trial

BackgroundConservative treatments of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) may be unsuccessful, and the relief that is provided is frequently insufficient. This study aimed to meticulously explore the analgesic efficacy of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block when administered alone or in conjunction with the greater occipital nerve block (GONB) for the purpose of treating PDPH and with the aid of transcranial Doppler (TCD) to evaluate the cerebral hemodynamics before and after the block.This study was conducted on 63 women with post-partum PDPH randomized into the following: control group (Group C = 21 participants), received conservative management; SPG block group (Group S = 21 participants), received conservative management with SPG block; and combined nerve and ganglion block group (Group NAG = 21 participants), received conservative management with SPG block and ultrasound guided GONB. Visual analog score (VAS), modified Lybecker score, and transcranial Doppler (TCD) measures were used to determine PDPH severity at 0 (baseline), 1, 6, and 24 h. Additionally, the three groups’ needs for EBP were noted.ResultsVAS and modified Lybecker scores at 1, 6, and 24 h were statistically significantly lower in S and NAG groups compared to the control group with no statistically significant difference between S and NAG groups. With TCD, the mean velocity (MV) was significantly lower at 1, 6, and 24 h compared to baseline reading in both S and NAG groups. Also, the pulsatility index (PI) was statistically higher at 1, 6, and 24 h compared to baseline readings in S and NAG groups. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the need for EBP.ConclusionsIn terms of headache relief or the need for EBP, there is no difference between individual SPG block or combined SPG block and GONB in the treatment of PDPH.

Greater Occipital Nerve Block or Suboccipital Intramuscular Injections are effective for management of Postdural Puncture Headache: A placebo-controlled study

Greater Occipital Nerve Block or Suboccipital Intramuscular Injections are effective for management of Postdural Puncture Headache: A placebo-controlled study

The effects of greater occipital nerve blockage with lidocaine on sleep characteristics in chronic migraine patients

PurposeThe aim of our study was to determine the effects of greater occipital nerve block (GONB) with lidocaine on sleep characteristics in patients with chronic migraine. Materials and methodsTwenty female patients who underwent GONB with lidocaine were included in the study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS), Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale (DBAS), Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Scale (RLSSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and headache diary results before and after the treatment of the patients were compared. ResultsWe included 20 patients (all females) in our study. The mean age was 35.80 ± 8.82 years (range 24–50). After GON blockade, the number of days with pain (p < 0.001), duration of pain (p < 0.001), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score (p < 0.001) were significantly lower than before. After GONB, BDI (p = 0.007), BAI (p = 0.022), ISI (p = 0.009), and PSQI (p = 0.026) scores were significantly lower than before. After GONB, sleep quality was better than before (p = 0.035). ConclusionThis study showed that GONB with lidocaine can improve sleep quality, insomnia, and symptoms of depression and anxiety while reducing migraine headache.

Literature Review: Pericranial Nerve Blocks for Chronic Migraines.

Headaches, especially migraines, are one of the most pervasive neurological disorders affecting up to 15.9% of the population. Current methods of migraine treatment include lifestyle changes, pharmacologic, and minimally invasive techniques such as peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) and pericranial nerve blocks (PNB). PNBs are used to treat and prevent migraines and involves injection of local anesthetics with or without corticosteroids. PNBs include the greater occipital, supraorbital, supratrochlear, lesser occipital, auriculotemporal, sphenopalantine ganglion, and cervical root nerve blocks. Of the PNBs, the most extensively studied is the greater occipital nerve block (GONB) which has been shown to be an efficacious treatment for migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, hemi-crania continua, and post-lumbar puncture, post-concussive, cluster, and cervicogenic headaches but not medication overuse and chronic tension type headaches. In this review, we aim to summarize the recent literature on PNBs and their efficacy in the treatment of migraines including a brief discussion of peripheral nerve stimulation.

Greater Occipital Nerve Block as an Effective Intervention for Medically Refractory Pediatric Migraine: A Retrospective Study.

Background Migraine is a common complaint worldwide, spanning all ages, but is not so well investigated in children and adolescents. Pediatric migraines incur significant health and social consequences with the most incisive effects seen in school performance, physical health, and mental well-being, making early effective management of pediatric migraine desirable. However, unlike adult migraine, the treatment for pediatric migraine has not been well established, which is especially true for the treatment of medically refractory migraine in children. Methodology We conducted a retrospective study to assess the feasibility of greater occipital nerve (GON) blocks as a therapeutic option for medically refractory migraine in children. We recruited subjects under 18 years old with a severe medically refractory headache that was affecting day-to-day life and who consented to receive a GON block. GON block effectivity was assessed through follow-up consultations and a post-procedural questionnaire. Results Six subjects received a first-time GON block for medically refractory migraine (mean age = 12 years and three months old, age range = 10 to 15 years old, three out of six subjects were female). We found that GON block was effective in all six patients for treatment of medically refractory migraine as assessed through follow-up consultations and a questionnaire sent out six weeks post-intervention. GON block was generally tolerable with only one patient reporting side effects (migraine flare-up for three days) post-intervention. Repeat injection was performed in four out of six patients, all of whom reported a repeat benefit. Conclusions We conclude that GON block is a feasible therapeutic option for the management of medically refractory migraine in children.

Three men in a boat: The comparison of the combination therapy of botulinum toxin and greater occipital nerve block with bupivacaine, with botulinum toxin monotherapy in the management of chronic migraine

ObjectiveThis study compared the impact of the combination therapy of onabotulinum toxin A and greater occipital nerve block (GoNT-A) with onabotulinum toxin A monotherapy (BoNT-A) based on its efficacy and safety in relation to the quality of life of adult chronic migraine (CM) patients. BackgroundProphylactic treatment of CM is still difficult and complex. Combination treatments do not have an evidence base yet. Methods: This retrospective study included 85 patients. For greater occipital nerve block (GONB), 4 ml of the solution prepared using 1 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and 3 ml of saline on both sides were bilaterally applied to 30 patients. For BoNT-A treatment, a total of 155 units of onabotulinum toxin A (BOTOX®) was intramuscularly injected into 31 specific points around the head and neck in 27 patients. Both protocols were similarly applied to 28 patients for GoNT-A treatment. MIDAS and HIT-6 scores were evaluated to measure patients’ quality of life three months after the treatment. ResultsWhen MIDAS and HIT-6 score groups were statistically compared, both GONB and GoNT-A applications showed a statistically significant reduction compared to the BoNT-A application (p < 0.05). The decrease in the MIDAS and HIT-6 scores of GONB and GoNT-A applications did not show a statistical difference (p > 0.05). ConclusionThe combination of BoNT-A and GONB was superior to BoNT-A applied as monotherapy. Alternately, no significant difference was found between GONB therapy and combination therapy in all data. Combination treatments were well tolerated

Vrednost indeksa sistemskog imunog inflamatornog odgovora (SII) kod pacijenata sa migrenom tretiranih terapijom većeg okcipitalnog bloka

Introduction: Neuroinflammation plays a key role in various neurological conditions, including migraine. GON block has been used for both acute and preventive treatment in migraine sufferers. Exploring whether this localized nerve blocking therapy for migraines affects signs of systemic inflammation would be beneficial. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 50 migraineurs (comprising high-frequency episodic and chronic migraine) and 60 healthy control volunteers of comparable ages and sexes were enrolled. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and SII levels in migraine patients, migraine sufferers, and healthy individuals are compared. This study examined hematological parameters and SII levels used as inflammatory markers in those diagnosed with migraine. Results: It was determined that the mean platelet and PLR values of the case group's subjects were substantially lower than those of the patient group's subjects (p &lt; 0.05). Biochemical characteristics of the cases were examined before and after treatment with greater occipital nerve (GON) block, revealing a statistically significant reduction in attack frequency, severity, and duration (p &lt; 0.001). No significant differences were discovered when compared to post-treatment values (p &gt; 0.05), even though the ratios were greater prior to GON block therapy in other measures. Conclusion: These findings, in our opinion, are linked to the presence of a continuous inflammatory process even in the absence of episodes, supporting systemic inflammation in migraineurs. Thus, SII, an affordable and easily measurable marker in peripheral blood, may serve as a helpful predictive marker for migraine patients scheduled for GON block treatment. Further extensive research is needed to determine whether SII can be an independent prognostic factor in migraine patients.

Efficacy of Adding a Distal Level Block to a C2 Level Greater Occipital Nerve Block under Ultrasound Guidance in Chronic Migraine

Abstract Objective: To investigate the benefit of adding a distal level greater occipital nerve (GON) block to the proximal level GON block under ultrasound guidance in patients with chronic migraine (CM) with cutaneous allodynia (CA). Methods: Seventy-eight patients with CM were included. A single US-guided GON block was performed at proximal and distal levels in patients with CM with CA and only at the proximal level in patients with CM without CA. Thirty (38.5%) patients with bilateral pain received bilateral GON blocks, and 48 (61.5%) with unilateral pain received unilateral GON blocks. The patients were evaluated using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores before treatment and 1 and 4 weeks after treatment and through Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) scores before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment. Results: The NRS scores significantly decreased at first and fourth weeks, and the HIT-6 scores significantly decreased at fourth week (p &lt; 0.001) compared with preintervention scores in all groups. No significant difference was found between the groups regarding the postinterventional first and fourth week when the decreases of NRS and HIT-6 scores were compared (p = 0.599). There were no significant differences in the effectiveness of unilateral and bilateral GON blocks (p &gt; 0.001). Conclusion: A single US-guided GON block is an effective and safe treatment option in patients with CM, providing a positive effect on pain and quality of life for 4 weeks. The addition of a distal level GON block to the proximal level GON block provides no extra benefit to patients with CM with CA.

Ultrasound-Guided Combined Greater Occipital Nerve Block at the C2 Level with Trapezius Trigger Point Injection and Supraorbital-Supratrochlear Nerve Block: More Effective on Allodynia and Disability in Chronic Migraine.

Chronic migraine (CM) patients with cutaneous allodynia (CA) show a poor response to treatment. Long-term studies have yet to be conducted to demonstrate the efficacy of blocks on CA. This study evaluated the improvement in allodynia and disability in CM treated with ultrasound (US)-guided blocks. In this prospective, non-randomized comparative study, 60 CM patients with CA were evaluated for the clinical effectiveness of the therapy using the numeric rating scale (NRS), headache impact test-6 (HIT-6), brush allodynia test, and allodynia symptom checklist (ASC-12). At the first visit, tenderness in the nerve or trapezius muscle was confirmed in the intervention group. US-guided greater occipital nerve block (GONB), GONB, and trapezius muscle injection (TPI), or GONB, TPI, and peripheral trigeminal nerve block (PTNB), respectively, were performed four times once a week for a month. Initial and third-month assessments were performed. The ASC-12 scores decreased in the GONB+TPI+PTNB and GONB groups more than the GONB+TPI group (mean rank, respectively, 26.86, 27.40, 38.39; P = 0.018). The decrease in HIT-6 scores was greater in the GONB+TPI+PTNB group than in the GONB group (mean rank, respectively, 21.98, 39.95, P < 0.017) in the first month. In the third month, the GONB+TPI+PTNB group scored HIT-6 significantly lower than GONB and GONB+TPI (mean rank: 18.84, 38.73, 35.61; P < 0.001). GONB+TPI+PTNB was more successful in alleviating allodynia and disability.

Management and outcomes of persistent headache after accidental dural puncture in the obstetric population: A 9-year prospective audit.

To assess the effectiveness and safety of a novel management pathway in the obstetric population presenting to a pain medicine clinic with persistent headache after accidental dural puncture (PHADP). Accidental dural puncture (ADP) can result in headaches that persist for months to years. These headaches can be a therapeutic challenge, often cause severe disability, and management pathway remains obscure. Obstetric patients with PHADP referred to a pain medicine physician were prospectively followed up in a longitudinal audit of a novel management pathway. ADP reports dated from 2008 until 2019. Initial management included brain imaging and pharmacological agents. Patients who failed to respond were offered greater occipital nerve (GON) block with depot methylprednisolone followed by pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment. A headache diary was completed for 4 weeks prior to commencing treatment and maintained for 24 weeks following an intervention. Data collected included use of epidural blood patch to manage postdural puncture headache, past history of headache, severity of headache, duration of persistent headache, low back pain, and employment status. Over the 9-year period, a cohort of 54 obstetric patients with PHADP with a 16-gauge Tuohy needle were reviewed in the pain clinic. Forty patients presented with chronic daily headache (40/54, 74%). Brain imaging did not reveal any sign of intracranial hypotension in 50 patients (50/54, 93%). Mean follow-up period was 5.7 years. Two patients were lost to follow-up (2/54, 4%). Pharmacological management was effective in 17 patients (17/52, 33%). Medical management failed to improve symptoms in 35 patients (35/52, 67%), and they were offered GON block. Fourteen (14/35, 40%) patients refused the intervention. Nerve block was performed in 21 patients and produced durable benefit lasting 24 weeks in 18 patients (18/21, 86%). Three patients underwent PRF treatment to GONs and all three (100%) reported durable benefit. At final follow-up, mean monthly headache frequency was 5.9 for the medical management group, 8.6 for the refused nerve block group, and 4.1 in patients who received GON treatment (p < 0.001). ADP can cause chronic headaches that persist beyond 3 years. Interventions targeting the GONs appear to have a role in the management of PHADP.

Primer baş ağrılı hastalarda büyük oksipital sinir blokajı ve erken dönem sonuçları

Purpose: Peripheral nerve blocks have long been used in headache treatment and greater occipital nerve (GON) blocks are the most frequently preferred peripheral nerve blocks in patients with headaches in the past years. In this study, the efficacy of GON blocks in patients with primary headache disorders was evaluated.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was undertaken in April 2021 and April 2022. One hundred twenty-one patients with primary headache disorders were included. Changes in the duration and frequency of headache attacks, pain severity, and type of oral medication before and after the injection treatment during the first and third months of follow-up were evaluated.&#x0D; Results: The number of headache attacks decreased from 13 to 5 and the visual analogue scale(VAS) score decreased from 9 to 5 at the end of the third month in the migraine group. Similarly, the number of headache attacks decreased from 17 to 7 and the VAS score decreased from 8 to 4 in tension-type headache (TTH) group. Improvements in all parameters were found to be statistically significant in both groups.&#x0D; Conclusion: GON block is a low-cost, rapid and minimally invasive treatment, and our data support that this method can be an effective treatment option in patients with migraine and TTH who are resistant to oral medication by reducing the number, frequency and severity of headache attacks. In conclusion, GON blockade should be considered by clinicians as a primary treatment option in patients with migraine and TTH resistant to oral medication.

Using GON block as a diagnostic block: Investigation of clinical efficacy of GON radiofrequency treatment for migraine patients

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of GON pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment in migraine patients who did not respond adequately to treatment with greater occipital nerve (GON) blockade. Method: Twenty-seven patients with recurrent episodic migraines or chronic migraines were included in the study. GON blockade was performed bilaterally once a week – four times over a one-month duration. PRF treatment was performed once for those patients who did not show an adequate response to GON blockade, and the treatment was directed at the same sites as the GON blockade. The number of migraine attacks in the preceding 30 days, the total number of triptan tablets taken, the average duration of headache and the highest VAS scores at the first, third and sixth-month visits were recorded. Results: The number of severe migraine attacks, total analgesic use and the maximum duration of migraine episodes were recorded in this study. All these parameters showed a significant decrease from the first month after GON PRF treatment as compared to both the baseline as well as to treatment one month after GON block. In addition, this clinical improvement was sustained up to six months after PRF treatment. Conclusion: Our results suggest that GON PRF treatment is a viable treatment approach in the case of migraine patients who do not respond adequately to treatment with GON blockade.

Greater occipital nerve block for chronic migraine patients: Ameta-analysis.

Greater occipital nerve block (GONB) is a minimally invasive procedure frequently used in patients with chronic migraine (CM); however, the quality of the evidence supporting its use is still unknown. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review, meta-analysis and quality assessment of GONB local anaesthetics combined or not with corticosteroids to prevent CM. We searched Medline, Scopus and Web of Science up to October 2020. We included randomized control trials (RCT) and observational studies assessing GONB without language restrictions. Two researchers selected the studies, extracted the data and evaluated the risk of bias independently. The primary outcomes measured to assess efficacy were the change from baseline in the intensity and frequency of headache in the intervention group compared to placebo at a onetime point. We performed a meta-analysis with random effect models, and we evaluated random errors with trial sequential analysis (TSA). We assessed the risk of bias (ROB) with the ROB2 tool and the certainty of the evidence with GRADE. We identified 2864 studies in the databases and included three RCTs for quantitative synthesis. Most ROB assessments were 'high risk' or 'some concerns'. GONB reduced the intensity of headaches at the end of the first month (MD: -1.35, 95% CI: -2.12 to -0.59) and the second month (MD: -2.10, CI 95%: -2.94 to -1.26) as well as the frequency of headaches (first month: MD: -4.45 days, 95% CI: -6.56 to -2.34 days; second month: MD: -5.49, 95% CI -8.94 to -2.03 days). Corticosteroids did not show a significant decrease in the frequency of headaches during the first month of treatment (MD: -1.1 days, 95% CI: -4.1 to 1.8, p=.45). Included trials reported similar adverse events between groups. The exploratory TSA showed inconclusive results. Overall, the quality of the evidence was very low because of the substantial risk of bias and imprecision. The limited evidence available shows that GONB with local anaesthetics could reduce headache frequency and intensity compared to placebo, while adding corticosteroids did not show additional benefits. GONB was safe with a similar number of minor adverse events. However, our confidence in these estimates is very low since the evidence is based on a few trials, with a small sample size and a significant risk of bias. In addition, the exploratory TSA was inconclusive, so we need larger and specific trials.

Greater occipital nerve (GON) blocks for treating of hypnic headache: A case report

• Greater occipital nerve block could be an effective therapeutic option in patients affected with hypnic headaches. • Hypnic headache is one of the most frequent rare diseases in older adults. • Hypnic headache often appears at the same hour along with the sleep or interrupting it.

Impact of Greater Occipital Nerve Block on Photophobia Levels in Migraine Patients.

To study the effect of greater occipital nerve (GON) block on migraine-associated photophobia levels. Photophobia is one of the most bothersome symptoms reported by migraine patients. Studies investigating the impact of migraine treatment on this symptom are scarce. This is an observational prospective case-control study. Patients with migraine and photophobia attending a Headache Clinic were recruited. Cases were defined as patients in whom GON block was performed, following usual clinical practice guidelines. All patients were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Utah Photophobia Symptom Impact Scale (UPSIS-12), and the Korean Photophobia Questionnaire (KUMC-8); both in the first visit (V1) and one week after (V2). Forty-one patients were recruited, 28 (68.3%) cases and 13 (31.7%) controls. At V1, there were no significant differences in the median [p25-p75] score of UPSIS-12 in cases vs controls (32.0 [21.0-34.0] vs 30.5 [22.0-37.0], P = 0.497) or KUMC-8 (6.5 [5.5-7.0] vs 7.0 [6.0-8.0], P = 0.463). At V2, cases experimented a significant improvement in UPSIS-12 of -5.5 [-8.8 to -1.3] and in KUMC-8 of -0.5 [-2.0 to 0], whereas there were no significant changes in the control group. Migraine with aura patients presented higher UPSIS-12 score at V1 (33.5 [24.5-37.0] vs 26.0 [16.0-35.0]) and lesser improvement at V2 after GON block compared with migraine without aura patients (-4.0 [-6.0 to -1.0] vs -8.0 [-17.0 to -2.0]), although statistical significance was not achieved ( P = 0.643 and P = 0.122, respectively). There was no significant variation in the remaining scales. Greater occipital nerve block improves migraine-associated photophobia, measured with UPSIS-12 and KUMC-8. Patients without aura may exhibit a greater improvement. Physicians could consider GON block for management of photophobia in migraine patients.