• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.268-271
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• 2013

Occipital neuralgia is a rare pain syndrome characterized by periodic lancinating pain involving the occipital nerve complex. We present a unique case of entrapment of the greater occipital nerve (GON) within the semispinalis capitis, which was thought to be the cause of occipital neuralgia. A 66-year-old woman with refractory left occipital neuralgia revealed an abnormally low-loop of the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery on the magnetic resonance imaging, suggesting possible vascular compression of the upper cervical roots. During exploration, however, the GON was found to be entrapped at the perforation site of the semispinalis capitis. There was no other compression of the GON or of C1 and C2 dorsal roots in their intracranial course. Postoperatively, the patient experienced almost complete relief of typical neuralgic pain. Although occipital neuralgia has been reported to occur by stretching of the GON by inferior oblique muscle or C1-C2 arthrosis, peripheral compression in the transmuscular course of the GON in the semispinalis capitis as a cause of refractory occipital neuralgia has not been reported and this should be considered when assessing surgical options for refractory occipital neuralgia.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.281-285
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• 2012

Objective : Occipital neuralgia is characterized by paroxysmal jabbing pain in the dermatomes of the greater or lesser occipital nerves caused by irritation of these nerves. Although several therapies have been reported, they have only temporary therapeutic effects. We report the results of pulsed radiofrequency treatment of the occipital nerve, which was used to treat occipital neuralgia. Methods : Patients were diagnosed with occipital neuralgia according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders classification criteria. We performed pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation when patients presented with clinical findings suggestive occipital neuralgia with positive diagnostic block of the occipital nerves with local anesthetics. Patients were analyzed according to age, duration of symptoms, surgical results, complications and recurrence. Pain was measured every month after the procedure using the visual analog and total pain indexes. Results : From 2010, ten patients were included in the study. The mean age was 52 years (34-70 years). The mean follow-up period was 7.5 months (6-10 months). Mean Visual Analog Scale and mean total pain index scores declined by 6.1 units and 192.1 units, respectively, during the follow-up period. No complications were reported. Conclusion : Pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation of the occipital nerve is an effective treatment for occipital neuralgia. Further controlled prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the exact effects and long-term outcomes of this treatment method.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.390-394
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• 1996

Background: Occipital neuralgia is characterized by pain, usually deep and aching, in the distribution the second and/or third cervical dorsal root. Two broad groups of patients include primary occipital neuralgia with no apparent etiology and secondary neuralgia with structural pathology. Patients with occipital neuralgia can develop autonomic changes and hyperesthesia. In patients who have not improved with conservative treatment, we have carried out various nerve blocks and evaluated the effectiveness. Methods: In a series of 20 occipital neuralgia patients with no apparent etiolgy, we have carried out great occipital nerve blocks with needle TEAS. In patients who have not improved more than 75% on VAS with great occipital block, we have carried out C2 ganglion blocks and in patients who have not improved more than 75% with C2 ganglion block, C3 root blocks, C2/C3 facet joint blocks have been carried out in due order. Results: In 3 patients out of 10 patients who have not improved with great occipital nerve block, C2 ganglion block led to pain relief. A good response of C3 root block was achived in 2 of 7 patients without response to C2 ganglion block and C2/C3 facet joint block led to improvement in 1 of 5 patients without response to C3 root block. Conclusions: Nerve blocks like great occipital nerve block, C2 ganglion block, C3 root block, or C2/C3 facet joint block were effective in the patients who have not improved with conservative treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.48-52
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• 2011

Occipital neuralgia is usually defined as paroxysmal stabbing pain in the greater or lesser occipital nerve (GON or LON) distribution. In occipital neuralgia patients, surgical considerations are carefully taken into account if medical management is ineffective. However, identification of the occipital artery by palpation in patients with thick necks or small occipital arteries can be technically difficult. Therefore, we established a new technique using transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography for more accurate and rapid identification. The patient was a 64-year-old man who had undergone C1-C3 screw fixation and presented with intractable stabbing pain in the bilateral GON and LON distributions. In cases in which pain management was performed using medication, physical therapy, nerve block, or radiofrequency thermocoagulation, substantial pain relief was not consistently achieved, and recurrence of pain was reported. Therefore, we performed occipital neurectomy of the bilateral GON and LON by using TCD sonography, which helped detect the greater occipital artery easily. After the operation, the patient’s headache disappeared gradually, although he had discontinued all medication except antidepressants. We believe that this new technique of occipital neurectomy via a small skin incision performed using TCD sonography is easy and reliable, has a short operative time, and provides rapid pain relief.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.155-158
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• 2008

This report presents the application of occipital nerve stimulation in two patients with severe and disabling bilateral occipital neuralgia. Pain persisted despite the use of several procedures and the administration of medication in the patients. The patients underwent peripheral nerve stimulation for the treatment of headache. Peripheral nerve stimulation was accomplished via implantation of a subcutaneous electrode to stimulate the peripheral nerve in the occipital area. The patients reported a 90% improvement in overall pain. These cases illustrate the possible utilization of peripheral nerve stimulation for the treatment of occipital neuralgia.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.82-87
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• 2010

Occipital neuralgia is a form of headache that involves the posterior occiput in the greater or lesser occipital nerve distribution. Pain can be severe and persistent with conservative treatment. We present a case of intractable occipital neuralgia that conventional therapeutic modalities failed to ameliorate. We speculate that, in this case, the cause of headache could be the greater occipital nerve entrapment by the obliquus capitis inferior muscle. After steroid and local anesthetic injection into obliquus capitis inferior muscles under fluoroscopic and sonographic guidance, the visual analogue scale was decreased from 9-10/10 to 1-2/10 for 2-3 weeks. The patient eventually got both greater occipital neurectomy and partial resection of obliquus capitis inferior muscles due to the short term effect of the injection. The successful steroid and local anesthetic injection for this occipital neuralgia shows that the refractory headache was caused by entrapment of greater occipital nerves by obliquus capitis inferior muscles.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.105-108
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• 1993

A myofascial syndrome due to continuous muscle contraction with the trigger point at the upper lateral edge of the nuchal muscles where they attach to the occipital bone is frequently seen in daily pain clinic practice. The Tienchu syndrome is a myofascial condition of the posterior neck region with a trigger point at the Tienchu acupoint(B10). When advanced, occipital neuralgia and muscle contraction headache follow. Therefore, a Tienchu block and/or occipital nerve block with local anesthetic combined with a small dose of steroid is a most effective therapeutic method for many patients who complain of posterior headache or posterior neck pain.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1327-1336
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• 2023

This case report presents the effectiveness of Korean medicine in the treatment of occipital neuralgia. The patient with occipital neuralgia was treated with acupuncture. Acupuncture treatment was administered to the occipital nerve area, which is commonly used in occipital nerve blocks by western medicine doctors. The severity of the symptoms was assessed daily using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score of pain. The patient received outpatient treatment a total of 7 times, and only received acupuncture treatment each time. According to the patient, his symptoms decreased by about 90% two days after acupuncture treatment, and the frequency and duration of the symptoms also decreased. Seven days after all acupuncture treatments, the severity of pain was reduced from NRS 6 to NRS 0. The findings of this case report suggest that treatment with Korean medicine can be an effective option for treating occipital neuralgia. Acupuncture can be a good treatment method for occipital neuralgia, along with western drug treatment and occipital nerve block.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.111-113
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• 2008

Recently, Harms and Melcher modified Goel's approach, the C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw fixation, and the new technique is currently in favor among neurosurgeons. Comparing to the advantages of Harms construct, the disadvantages were not extensively investigated. We experienced a patient with severe occipital pain developed after the C1 lateral mass screw placement for the traumatic atlantoaxial instability. We reviewed literatures about Harms construct with focus on the occipital neuralgia as a postoperative complication and suggest here technical tips to avoid the troublesome pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.200-205
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• 1996

Radiofrequency thermocoagulation(RF) techniques are safe and effective methods as compared to neurodestructive procedure. Other advantages are: ability to perform RF lesions under local or sedative anesthesia, rapid recovery period, low incidence of morbidity and mortality, ability to repeat RF lesions, and leaves no significant scarring. We performed C2 ganglionotomy by RF lesion generator on a patient, suffering post-traumatic occipital neuralgia, as the patient did not respond to conservative therapies such as: trigger point injection, TENS, cryotherapy and stretch, occipital nerve block, C2 ganglion block. Prognostic nerve block was performed usng local anesthetics. Excellent effect was conformed before C2 ganglionotomy. This procedure was performed under fluoroscopy. Type RCK-2A Rosomoff Cordotomy kit was used to stabilize the head and neck. Postoperatively, the patient was free of occipital pain and head motions no longer triggered pain. To date, the patient remains symptom free except for some cervical discomfort.