Auriculotemporal Nerve Injection

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Auriculotemporal nerve block.png
Auriculotemporal Nerve Injection
Indication Headache disorders and laceration repair
Syringe 5mL
Needle 27-30g


The auriculotemporal nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve (V3) that runs with the superficial temporal artery and vein, and provides sensory innervation to various regions on the side of the head.

Anatomy

The auriculotemporal nerve arises as a posterior division of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve. It has somatosensory and parasympathetic roots. The somatosensory fibres supplies the auricle, external acoustic meatus, outer side of the tympanic membrane, the skin in the temporal region (superficial temporal branches), and a few fibres to the temporomandibular joint. Its proximal trunk is located superficially just anterior to the tragus. The parasympathetic root innervate the parotic gland.

The external ear innervated by four sensory nerves: greater auricular nerve, lesser occipital nerve, auricular branch of vagus nerve, and the auriculotemporal nerve.

Cranio-cervical Dermatomes.[1]

Cranial dermatomes.png

Technique

Landmark Guided

  • Position: patient seated and physician standing beside them, or with the patient supine and their head in a neutral position.
  • Injection point is just anterior to the tragus
  • Use a 5 mL syringe with a 30-gauge needle
  • Insert the needle 1โ€“2 mL into the subcutaneous tissue to a depth of about 4โ€“6 mm.
  • Aspirate to exclude arterial puncture and inject

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.

Literature Review