Evaluation of Occipital Nerve Blocks for Acute Pain Relief of Migraines
Abstract
Migraines are a debilitating neurological disease affecting as many as 1 of 6 adults in the United States. Occipital nerve block, consisting of a local anesthetic and/or corticosteroid, has shown to be an effective treatment for the management of migraines. Occipital nerve block has been reported to reduce migraine pain scores, frequency, and duration. We aimed to evaluate the impact of occipital nerve block for acute pain relief in patients with migraines. This was a single-center retrospective observational study conducted at a 1162-bed academic medical center in Gainesville, Florida. Included patients were ≥18 years old, diagnosed with migraine with or without aura, and received at least 1 occipital nerve block. Excluded patients received nerve blocks not specific to the occipital region. The outcomes observed were migraine pain before and after administration within the same initial encounter of receiving an occipital nerve block using a numeric pain rating scale, injection direction, medications used, duration of effect and frequency of additional injections, and adverse reactions. A total of 190 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 63% rating their pain to be 6-8 of 10 prior to an occipital nerve block. After receiving an occipital nerve block, 27% of patients reported significant or immediate relief, and 42% experienced reduced pain scores of 0-2. The majority of injections were bilateral using lidocaine with dexamethasone. Only 3% of patients reported an adverse…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 190 participants or records.
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