Occipital Neuralgia.
Wenyu PanJoanna PengDalia ElmoftyPublished in: Current pain and headache reports (2021)
Non-pharmacological treatments aim to alleviate muscle tension and improve posture. Acupuncture shows some promise. The occipital nerve block is considered the first line in a minimally invasive intervention, but the duration of relief may be short term. An onabotulinum toxin A injection may improve the sharp but not the dull component of the pain of occipital neuralgia. Radiofrequency ablation and occipital nerve stimulation may provide effective long-term relief in refractory patients. Surgical decompression, neurotomies, and neurolysis are last-resort treatment options. Occipital neuralgia is a debilitating condition that can be difficult to treat. Studies with larger sample sizes and randomized control trials are needed to further determine the effectiveness and safety of different therapies.
Keyphrases
- minimally invasive
- radiofrequency ablation
- end stage renal disease
- randomized controlled trial
- newly diagnosed
- escherichia coli
- ejection fraction
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic pain
- double blind
- prognostic factors
- machine learning
- neuropathic pain
- patient reported outcomes
- phase iii
- placebo controlled
- ultrasound guided
- case control