Occipital Neuralgia

Abstract

Occipital neuralgia is a primary headache disorder characterized by intermittent, sharp stabbing occipital pain. Diagnosis is made by history, clinical examination, and positive response to anesthetic block of the greater occipital nerve. Occipital neuralgia should be differentiated from cervicogenic headache, migraines, and other causes of headaches as some of them may manifest with similar symptoms, including occipital pain and allodynia, and may also respond to occipital nerve block. Conservative treatment with physical therapy and low-dose antiepileptics or tricyclic antidepressants can be effective. Refractory cases may respond to occipital nerve block, Botox injection, pulse radiofrequency, or occipital nerve stimulation.