Occipital Nerve Neuralgia
Occipital Nerve Neuralgia
Occipital nerve neuralgia is a kind of chronic headache situated in the back of the head, radiating along the course of the occipital nerves.
The pain is described as short ,strong, piercing , stabbing and sharp. Between each episode of the pain there can be tenderness in the occipital area .The pain should be differentiated from migraine and tension headache and can be unilateral or bilateral.
Causes:
- osteoarthritis at the level of C1, C2,
- tension of neck muscles,
- trauma,
- occipital nerve impingement in the scar,
- blood vessel diseases.
The diagnosis is mainly based on history and symptoms, very helpful is a diagnostic block injection with local anaesthetic under ultrasound guidance.
Treatment:
- anti-inflammatory medications,
- anti-seizure drugs,
- antidepressants
- massage,
- steroid block,
- nerve hydrodissection.
Dr. Marcin Goczewski performs occipital nerve hydrodissection, steroid injection and diagnostic block under ultrasound guidance.
