Targeting Occipital Headache Pain: Preliminary Data Supporting an Alternative Approach to Occipital Nerve Block

This study evaluated the efficacy and validity of an alternative, single skin insertion, paresthesia-based approach to block both the greater and lesser occipital nerve. Materials and Methods: Patients with a clinical diagnosis of occipital headache were included in this study. External landmarks of the cervical spinous process and ipsilateral tragus were used to predict the location of the OA pulse at the superior nuchal line. Alternative ONB technique was used to block both the greater and lesser occipital nerves using single skin insertion and paresthesia confirmation. Demographic data, preprocedure, and postprocedure pain scores were collected, along with the incidence of procedural outcomes, including OA pulse palpation, paresthesia, and postprocedure numbness. Results: Data were obtained prospectively from 50 patients. Mean pain scores for the sample decreased by 54.64% postprocedure (P
Source: The Clinical Journal of Pain - Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research