ABSTRACT
Cranial nerve blocks (CNBs) have been used for the acute and preventive treatment of a variety of headaches, including migraine. The effectiveness of CNBs in migraine is usually observed beyond the duration of the nerve block, possibly due to central pain modulation. The most used target is the greater occipital nerve. Other commonly targeted nerves are the lesser occipital nerve and various branches of the trigeminal nerve, including the supratrochlear, supraorbital, and auriculotemporal nerves. CNBs are generally safe and well-tolerated procedures that can be performed in either emergency or outpatient settings. There is currently no guideline standardizing CNBs in migraine. In clinical practice, as well as the few published studies, the results are encouraging, justifying further studies in the area. In the present study we critically review the literature about the safety and efficacy of CNBs in the treatment of migraine attacks and in the preventive treatment of migraine.
Bloqueios de nervos cranianos (BNCs) têm sido usados ââpara o tratamento agudo e preventivo de uma variedade de dores de cabeça, incluindo enxaqueca. A eficácia dos BNC na enxaqueca é geralmente observada além da duração do bloqueio nervoso, possivelmente devido à modulação central da dor. O alvo mais utilizado é o nervo occipital maior. Outros nervos comumente alvo são o nervo occipital menor e vários ramos do nervo trigêmeo, incluindo os nervos supratroclear, supraorbital e auriculotemporal. Os CNBs são geralmente procedimentos seguros e bem tolerados que podem ser realizados em ambientes de emergência ou ambulatoriais. Atualmente não há nenhuma diretriz padronizando BNCs na enxaqueca. Na prática clínica, assim como nos poucos estudos publicados, os resultados são animadores, justificando novos estudos na área. No presente estudo revisamos criticamente a literatura sobre a segurança e eficácia dos BNC no tratamento de crises de enxaqueca e no tratamento preventivo da enxaqueca.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided greater occipital nerve (GON) block has been frequently used to treat various types of headaches, and botulinum toxin has recently begun to be used in patients with headache. Our study presents the long-term effect of botulinum toxin on GON block using ultrasound in patients with chronic headache in occipital area. METHODS: Patients with occipital headache were divided into two groups (bupivacaine: BUP group [n = 27], botulinum toxin: BTX group [n = 27]), and ultrasound-guided GON block was performed at the C2 level. GON was detected with ultrasound and distance from GON to midline, from the skin surface to GON, and size of GON were measured in both groups. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Likert scale were assessed at pretreatment and at 1, 4, 8, and 24 weeks after treatment in both groups. RESULTS: The distance from GON to midline was 18.9 ± 4.4 mm (right) and 17.3 ± 3.8 mm (left). The depth from the skin was 12.9 ± 1.5 mm (right) and 13.4 ± 1.6 mm (left). GON size was 3.1 mm on both sides. The VAS score and patient satisfaction score (Likert scale) in 4, 8, and 24 weeks after injection were superior for the BTX than the BUP group. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided GON block using BTX is effective in reducing short-term and long-term pain in patients with chronic headache in the occipital area.
Subject(s)
Humans , Botulinum Toxins , Headache , Headache Disorders , Nerve Block , Patient Satisfaction , Skin , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The greater occipital nerve (GON) block has been frequently used for different types of headache, but performed with rough estimates of anatomic landmarks. Our study presents the values of the anatomic parameters and estimates the effectiveness of the ultrasound-guided GON blockade. METHODS: The GON was detected using ultrasound technique and distance from external occipital protuberance (EOP) to GON, from GON to occipital artery and depth from skin to GON was measured in volunteers. Patients with occipital headache were divided into two groups (ultrasound-guided block: group S, conventional blind block: group B) and GON block was performed. The same parameters were measured on group S and VAS scores were assessed at pretreatment, 1 week and 4 weeks after treatment on both groups. RESULTS: The GON had distance of 23.1 +/- 3.4 mm (right) and 20.5 +/- 2.8 mm (left) from EOP to GON. Its depth below the skin was 6.8 +/- 1.5 mm (right) and 7.0 +/- 1.3 mm (left). The distance from GON to occipital artery was 1.5 +/- 0.6 mm (right) and 1.2 +/- 0.6 mm (left) in volunteers. Initial VAS score of group S and group B patients were 6.4 +/- 0.2 and 6.5 +/- 0.2. VAS score of 4 weeks after injection were 2.3 +/- 0.2 on group S and 3.8 +/- 0.3 on group B (P = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: The parameters measured in this study should be useful for GON block and ultrasound-guided blockade is likely to be a more effective technique than blind blockade in occipital headache treatment.