Ervicogenic Headache (CEH), Occipital Neuralgia (ON)
Conditions
Brief summary
This study looked at two types of nerve block injections used to treat people with cervicogenic headache (CEH) and occipital neuralgia (ON)-two painful conditions that often cause pain at the back of the head and neck. The injections target nerves in the upper neck that may be causing the pain. The researchers compared: One nerve injection (greater occipital nerve block, or GONB), versus Two nerve injections (GONB plus lesser occipital nerve block, or LONB).
Interventions
PROCEDUREGreater Occipital Nerve Block (GONB)
A landmark-guided injection of 1 mL of 2% lidocaine administered at the anatomical location of the greater occipital nerve (GON) to treat cervicogenic headache and occipital neuralgia. Performed without corticosteroids or imaging guidance.
PROCEDURECombined Greater and Lesser Occipital Nerve Block (GONB + LONB)
Two landmark-guided injections of 1 mL of 2% lidocaine each at the anatomical locations of the greater and lesser occipital nerves. Performed without corticosteroids or imaging, targeting broader nerve involvement in cervicogenic headache and occipital neuralgia.
Sponsors
Tishreen University Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Adults aged 18 to 65 years Clinical diagnosis of cervicogenic headache (CEH) and/or occipital neuralgia (ON) according to ICHD-3 criteria Pain duration of more than 3 months Pain localized to the occipital region, consistent with the distribution of the greater and/or lesser occipital nerves Inadequate response to conservative therapy (e.g., analgesics, physiotherapy) Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
Previous nerve block or other interventional procedures for headache Use of systemic corticosteroids within the past 3 months Known allergy to lidocaine or other amide-type local anesthetics Evidence of secondary causes of headache on imaging (e.g., tumor, infection) Pregnancy or breastfeeding Active infection at the injection site Coagulopathy or use of anticoagulant therapy Significant psychiatric or neurological comorbidities interfering with study participation
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) | Baseline, 24 hours, 3 weeks, and 3 months post-intervention | ain intensity was assessed using a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating the worst pain imaginable. VAS scores were recorded at baseline and follow-up visits. |
Countries
Syria
Outcome results
None listed