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Greater Occipital Nerve Injection: Difference between revisions

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===Background===
{{partial}}
[[File:Gray800.png|thumb|Posterior primary divisions of the upper three cervical nerves. (Great occipital nerve labeled at center top.)]]
{{procedure
[[File:Gray790.png|thumb|Lateral view (greater occipital nerve posterior)]]
|image=Greater-and-lesser-occipital-nerve-blocks.png
|indication=[[Occipital Neuralgia]] and headache disorders
|syringe=3mL
|needle=27-30G
|steroid=optional 4mg dexamethasone
|local=1-3mL of anaesthetic
|volume=1-3mL
}}
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The greater occipital nerve is a popular target for treating and preventing headache disorders.
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==Anatomy==
The greater occipital nerve (GON) arises from the medial branches of the dorsal ramus of C2. It arises behind the C1/C2 lateral joint. The nerve arches downwards below the inferior oblique muscle, then upwards through semispinalis and the tendinous part of trapezius.
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It innervates the occipital area from the superior nuchal line to the vertex. It then proceeds superolaterally in multiple branches.
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;Cranio-cervical Dermatomes.<ref>{{#pmid:23406160}}</ref>
[[File:Cranial dermatomes.png|700px]]
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==Background==
*Therapeutic and diagnostic for occipital neuralgia
*Therapeutic and diagnostic for occipital neuralgia
*Nerve is between ~8-18 mm deep<ref>M. Greher, B. Moriggl, M. Curatolo, L. Kirchmair and U. Eichenberger. Sonographic visualization and ultrasound-guided blockade of the greater occipital nerve: a comparison of two selective techniques confirmed by anatomical dissection. Br. J. Anaesth. (2010) 104 (5): 637-642.</ref>
*Usually performed by targeting the tender points that approximate the affected branches of the C2 nerve, either the greater or lesser occipital nerve.
*The greater occipital nerve is 2cm inferior and lateral to the external occipital protuberance, and is between ~8-18 mm deep<ref>M. Greher, B. Moriggl, M. Curatolo, L. Kirchmair and U. Eichenberger. Sonographic visualization and ultrasound-guided blockade of the greater occipital nerve: a comparison of two selective techniques confirmed by anatomical dissection. Br. J. Anaesth. (2010) 104 (5): 637-642.</ref>. It can also be identified at one third of the distance from the external occipital protuberance to the mastoid process.
*The lesser occipital nerve is 5cm lateral to the external occipital protuberance.


==Indications==
==Indications==
*Suspected or confirmed occipital neuralgia
*Suspected or confirmed occipital neuralgia
*[[Migraine]] refractory to conservative treatment
*Migraine refractory to conservative treatment
*[[Post-lumbar puncture headache]] refractory to conservative treatment
*Post-lumbar puncture headache refractory to conservative treatment
*Cluster headache, occipital neuralgia, cervicogenic headache, or migraine with occipital nerve irritation or tenderness <ref>https://www.nuemblog.com/blog/occipital-nerve-block</ref>
*Cluster headache, occipital neuralgia, cervicogenic headache, or migraine with occipital nerve irritation or tenderness <ref>https://www.nuemblog.com/blog/occipital-nerve-block</ref>


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*Infection overlying injection site
*Infection overlying injection site


==Equipment Needed==
==Procedure==
*PPE
===Ultrasound Guided===
*Syringe and 27-30ga needle
* In-plane technique
*Betadine or chlorhexidine
* Prone, side-lying, or seated position with the head slightly flexed.
*Local anesthetic
* Stand contralateral to the injection site, in line with the transducer and with the ultrasound screen on the opposite side
**40mg of methylprednisolone or triamcinolone may be mixed with the local anesthetic<ref name="Brock">Brock G. The occasional greater occipital nerve block. Can J Rural Med. 2014 Fall;19(4):152-5.</ref>, but efficacy has not been proven.
* Using a high-frequency linear array transducer, localize the C2 spinous process which is bifid. The C1 spinous process is not bifid.
* Slide the probe laterally (away from yourself) towards the ipsilateral lamina of C2.
* Rotate the lateral part of the transducer cephalad until the transverse process of C1 is visualized (around 20โ€“30 degrees).
* Identify the muscular tissue planes and the greater occipital nerve
* Colour doppler can be used to identify the occipital artery which lies just medial to the greater occipital nerve
* Insert the needle in-plane from medial to lateral and advance until the needle tip is close to the nerve.
See Palamar et al for a review on technique<ref name="Palamar">Palamar D, Uluduz D, Saip S, et al. Ultrasound-guided greater occipital nerve block: an efficient technique in chronic refractory migraine without aura? Pain Physician. 2015 Mar-Apr;18(2):153-62.</ref>.


==Procedure==
<gallery>
File:greater occipital nerve injection.PNG
File:GON schematic.PNG
File:Cervical spine GON block.PNG
File:Greater occipital nerve block ultrasound.jpg
</gallery>
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===Non-ultrasound Guided===
*Patient in position of comfort allowing access to posterior head and neck. (laying prone or sitting with head down in arms)
*Patient in position of comfort allowing access to posterior head and neck. (laying prone or sitting with head down in arms)
*Identify Greater Occipital Nerve (GON).
*Identify Greater Occipital Nerve (GON), which may be palpated 1.5-2.5 cm inferior to occipital protuberance and ~1.5-2 cm lateral to midline<ref name="Dach">Dach F, ร‰ckeli รL, Ferreira Kdos S, Speciali JG. Nerve block for the treatment of headaches and cranial neuralgias - a practical approach. Headache. 2015 Feb;55 Suppl 1:59-71.</ref>
**May be palpated 1.5-2.5 cm inferior to occipital protuberance and ~1.5-2 cm lateral to midline<ref name="Dach">Dach F, ร‰ckeli รL, Ferreira Kdos S, Speciali JG. Nerve block for the treatment of headaches and cranial neuralgias - a practical approach. Headache. 2015 Feb;55 Suppl 1:59-71.</ref>
**Alternatively, may be ultrasound guided - look for occipital artery in medial third of the line from occipital tubercle to mastoid process<ref name="Palamar">Palamar D, Uluduz D, Saip S, et al. Ultrasound-guided greater occipital nerve block: an efficient technique in chronic refractory migraine without aura? Pain Physician. 2015 Mar-Apr;18(2):153-62.</ref>
***GON will be located medial to artery.
*Cleanse skin with betadine or chlorhexidine and allow to dry
*Cleanse skin with betadine or chlorhexidine and allow to dry
*Insert needle over nerve at 90 degrees to skin until hit bone, then withdraw slightly<ref>Inan LE, Inan N, KaradaลŸ ร–, et al. Greater occipital nerve blockade for the treatment of chronic migraine: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Acta Neurol Scand. 2015 Mar 13. doi: 10.1111/ane.12393</ref>
*Insert needle over nerve at 90 degrees to skin until hit bone, then withdraw slightly<ref>Inan LE, Inan N, KaradaลŸ ร–, et al. Greater occipital nerve blockade for the treatment of chronic migraine: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Acta Neurol Scand. 2015 Mar 13. doi: 10.1111/ane.12393</ref>
**If using ultrasound, insert needle at 45 degrees to skin and advance toward nerve under direct ultrasound guidance
*Aspirate to ensure not in vessel.
*Aspirate to ensure not in vessel.
*Inject ~1-3 mL of local anesthetic. (may inject small amount medial and lateral to nerve to ensure adequate block)<ref name="Brock" />
*Inject ~1-3 mL of local anesthetic. (may inject small amount medial and lateral to nerve to ensure adequate block)<ref name="Brock">Brock G. The occasional greater occipital nerve block. Can J Rural Med. 2014 Fall;19(4):152-5.</ref>
*Repeat on contralateral side, if indicated.
*Repeat on contralateral side, if indicated.
{{Maximum doses of anesthetic agents}}


==Complications==
==Complications==
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*Bleeding
*Bleeding
*Infection
*Infection
*Repeated blocks with steroid may result in transient dizziness or elevated blood pressure, and the patient may rarely become cushingoid.
==Aftercare==
* The procedure may be repeated if pain recurs
==Videos==
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKtdZVXtZ0M</youtube>


==Follow-up==
== See Also ==
*Follow up with appropriate specialist for the indication for nerve block.


==See Also==
* [[Cervical Facet Joint Injection]]
*[[Nerve Blocks (Main)]]
* [[Third Occipital Nerve Injection]]
*[[Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST)]]
* [[Paraspinous Cervical Block]]
*[[Headache]]
* [[Lesser Occipital Nerve Injection]]
*[[Migraine_headache|Migraine]]


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
{{Reliable sources}}


[[Category:Procedures]]
[[Category:Cervical Spine Procedures]]
[[Category:Neurology]]
[[Category:Head and Jaw Procedures]]
[[Category:Infoboxes]]
[[Category:Partially complete articles]]

Latest revision as of 20:31, 15 March 2022

This article is still missing information.
Greater-and-lesser-occipital-nerve-blocks.png
Greater Occipital Nerve Injection
Indication Occipital Neuralgia and headache disorders
Syringe 3mL
Needle 27-30G
Steroid optional 4mg dexamethasone
Local 1-3mL of anaesthetic
Volume 1-3mL


The greater occipital nerve is a popular target for treating and preventing headache disorders.

Anatomy

The greater occipital nerve (GON) arises from the medial branches of the dorsal ramus of C2. It arises behind the C1/C2 lateral joint. The nerve arches downwards below the inferior oblique muscle, then upwards through semispinalis and the tendinous part of trapezius.

It innervates the occipital area from the superior nuchal line to the vertex. It then proceeds superolaterally in multiple branches.

Cranio-cervical Dermatomes.[1]

Cranial dermatomes.png

Background

  • Therapeutic and diagnostic for occipital neuralgia
  • Usually performed by targeting the tender points that approximate the affected branches of the C2 nerve, either the greater or lesser occipital nerve.
  • The greater occipital nerve is 2cm inferior and lateral to the external occipital protuberance, and is between ~8-18 mm deep[2]. It can also be identified at one third of the distance from the external occipital protuberance to the mastoid process.
  • The lesser occipital nerve is 5cm lateral to the external occipital protuberance.

Indications

  • Suspected or confirmed occipital neuralgia
  • Migraine refractory to conservative treatment
  • Post-lumbar puncture headache refractory to conservative treatment
  • Cluster headache, occipital neuralgia, cervicogenic headache, or migraine with occipital nerve irritation or tenderness [3]

Contraindications

  • Infection overlying injection site

Procedure

Ultrasound Guided

  • In-plane technique
  • Prone, side-lying, or seated position with the head slightly flexed.
  • Stand contralateral to the injection site, in line with the transducer and with the ultrasound screen on the opposite side
  • Using a high-frequency linear array transducer, localize the C2 spinous process which is bifid. The C1 spinous process is not bifid.
  • Slide the probe laterally (away from yourself) towards the ipsilateral lamina of C2.
  • Rotate the lateral part of the transducer cephalad until the transverse process of C1 is visualized (around 20โ€“30 degrees).
  • Identify the muscular tissue planes and the greater occipital nerve
  • Colour doppler can be used to identify the occipital artery which lies just medial to the greater occipital nerve
  • Insert the needle in-plane from medial to lateral and advance until the needle tip is close to the nerve.

See Palamar et al for a review on technique[4].

  • Greater occipital nerve injection.PNG
  • GON schematic.PNG
  • Cervical spine GON block.PNG
  • Greater occipital nerve block ultrasound.jpg

Non-ultrasound Guided

  • Patient in position of comfort allowing access to posterior head and neck. (laying prone or sitting with head down in arms)
  • Identify Greater Occipital Nerve (GON), which may be palpated 1.5-2.5 cm inferior to occipital protuberance and ~1.5-2 cm lateral to midline[5]
  • Cleanse skin with betadine or chlorhexidine and allow to dry
  • Insert needle over nerve at 90 degrees to skin until hit bone, then withdraw slightly[6]
  • Aspirate to ensure not in vessel.
  • Inject ~1-3 mL of local anesthetic. (may inject small amount medial and lateral to nerve to ensure adequate block)[7]
  • Repeat on contralateral side, if indicated.

Complications

Complications are rare due to superficial location and lack of major surrounding structures.[7]

  • Damage to surrounding structures
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Repeated blocks with steroid may result in transient dizziness or elevated blood pressure, and the patient may rarely become cushingoid.

Aftercare

  • The procedure may be repeated if pain recurs

Videos

See Also

References

  1. โ†‘ Blumenfeld et al.. Expert consensus recommendations for the performance of peripheral nerve blocks for headaches--a narrative review. Headache 2013. 53:437-46. PMID: 23406160. DOI.
  2. โ†‘ M. Greher, B. Moriggl, M. Curatolo, L. Kirchmair and U. Eichenberger. Sonographic visualization and ultrasound-guided blockade of the greater occipital nerve: a comparison of two selective techniques confirmed by anatomical dissection. Br. J. Anaesth. (2010) 104 (5): 637-642.
  3. โ†‘ https://www.nuemblog.com/blog/occipital-nerve-block
  4. โ†‘ Palamar D, Uluduz D, Saip S, et al. Ultrasound-guided greater occipital nerve block: an efficient technique in chronic refractory migraine without aura? Pain Physician. 2015 Mar-Apr;18(2):153-62.
  5. โ†‘ Dach F, ร‰ckeli รL, Ferreira Kdos S, Speciali JG. Nerve block for the treatment of headaches and cranial neuralgias - a practical approach. Headache. 2015 Feb;55 Suppl 1:59-71.
  6. โ†‘ Inan LE, Inan N, KaradaลŸ ร–, et al. Greater occipital nerve blockade for the treatment of chronic migraine: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Acta Neurol Scand. 2015 Mar 13. doi: 10.1111/ane.12393
  7. โ†‘ 7.0 7.1 Brock G. The occasional greater occipital nerve block. Can J Rural Med. 2014 Fall;19(4):152-5.

Literature Review

Library.pngLiterature Review

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