scholarly journals Great occipital nerve long-acting steroid injections in cluster headache therapy: an observational prospective study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Merli ◽  
Gian Maria Asioli ◽  
Valentina Favoni ◽  
Corrado Zenesini ◽  
Davide Mascarella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Cluster Headache ◽  
Chronic Cluster Headache ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Occipital Nerve ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Greater Occipital Nerve ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Headache Patients

Abstract Background Injections targeting the occipital nerve are used to reduce headache attacks and abort cluster bouts in cluster headache patients. There is no widely accepted agreement over the optimal technique of injection, type and doses of steroids and/or anesthetics to use, as well as injection regimens. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness and safety of greater occipital nerve long-acting steroid injections in the management of episodic and chronic cluster headache. Methods We conducted a prospective observational cohort study on episodic (ECH) and chronic cluster headache patients (CCH). ECH were included in the study at the beginning of a cluster period. Three injections with 60 mg methylprednisolone were performed on alternate days. We registered the frequency and intensity of attacks three days before and 3, 7 and 30 days after the treatment, the latency of cluster relapse, adverse events, scores evaluating anxiety (Zung scale), depression (Beck’s Depression Scale) and quality of life (Disability Assessment Schedule II, 12-Item Self-Administered Version). Primary outcome was the interruption of the cluster after the three injections. Responders conducted a follow-up period of 12 months. Results We enrolled 60 patients, 47 with ECH and 13 with CCH. We observed a complete response in 47.8% (22/46) of episodic and 33.3% (4/12) of chronic patients. Moreover, a partial response (reduction of at least 50% of attacks) was obtained in further 10.8% (5/46) of episodic and in 33.3% (4/12) of chronic patients at 1 month. Median pain-free period was of 3 months for CCH responders. Only mild adverse events were reported in 38.3% (23/58) cases. Conclusions We suggest three greater occipital nerve injections of 60 mg methylprednisolone on alternate days as useful therapy in episodic and chronic cluster headache. This leads to a long pain-free period in chronic forms. Adverse effects are mild and support its use as first choice. Trial registration The study was inserted in AIFA observational studies register.

Occipital Nerve Blockade in Chronic Cluster Headache Patients and Functional Connectivity Between Trigeminal and Occipital Nerves

Cephalalgia ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1206-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Busch ◽  
W Jakob ◽  
T Juergens ◽  
W Schulte-Mattler ◽  
H Kaube ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Cluster Headache ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Blink Reflex ◽  
Chronic Cluster Headache ◽  
Nerve Blockade ◽  
Occipital Nerve ◽  
Nociceptive Blink Reflex ◽  
Greater Occipital Nerve ◽  
Headache Patients

Headache syndromes often involve occipital and neck symptoms, suggesting a functional connectivity between nociceptive trigeminal and cervical afferents. Although reports regarding effective occipital nerve blockades in cluster headache exist, the reason for the improvement of the clinical symptoms is not known. Using occipital nerve blockade and nociceptive blink reflexes, we were able to demonstrate functional connectivity between trigeminal and occipital nerves in healthy volunteers. The R2 components of the nociceptive blink reflex and the clinical outcome in 15 chronic cluster headache patients were examined before and after unilateral nerve blockade of the greater occipital nerve with 5 ml prilocain (1%) on the headache side. In contrast to recent placebo-controlled studies, only nine of the 15 cluster patients reported some minor improvement in their headache. Six patients did not report any clinical change. Exclusively on the injection side, the R2 response areas decreased and R2 latencies increased significantly after the nerve blockade. These neurophysiological and clinical data provide further evidence for functional connectivity between cervical and trigeminal nerves in humans. The trigeminocervical complex does not seem to be primarily facilitated in cluster headache, suggesting a more centrally located pathology of the disease. However, the significant changes of trigeminal function as a consequence of inhibition of the greater occipital nerve were not mirrored by a significant clinical effect, suggesting that the clinical improvement of occipital nerve blockades is not due to a direct inhibitory effect on trigeminal transmission.

Efficacy and safety of 121 injections of the greater occipital nerve in episodic and chronic cluster headache

Cephalalgia ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 630-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas R Gantenbein ◽  
Nina J Lutz ◽  
Franz Riederer ◽  
Peter S Sándor
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Headache ◽  
Chronic Cluster Headache ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Occipital Nerve ◽  
Greater Occipital Nerve

scholarly journals Clomiphene treatment may be effective in refractory episodic and chronic cluster headache

2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 620-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Eduarda Nobre ◽  
Mario Fernando Prieto Peres ◽  
Pedro Ferreira Moreira Filho ◽  
Antonio José Leal
Keyword(s):  
Complete Remission ◽  
Cluster Headache ◽  
Chronic Cluster Headache ◽  
Free Time ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Conventional Medication ◽  
Episodic Cluster Headache ◽  
Cluster Headaches ◽  
Headache Patients

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the evolution of 15 patients who were treated for difficult-to-control episodic and chronic cluster headaches with clomiphene. Methods Clomiphene treatment was used for seven chronic and eight episodic cluster headache patients. The chronic patients were refractory to the medication being used, and the episodic patients, in addition to being resistant to conventional medication, had longer cluster headache periods, exceeding the average time of previous cluster cycles. Our main analysis was of the time to pain-free, complete remission, and the length of pain-free time and complete remission. Results Clomiphene was used for 45-180 days. The average time to being pain-free was 15 days and cluster remission was up to 60 days. The average time between being pain-free until cluster remission was 26 days. Conclusions Clomiphene treatment was significantly efficient. It interrupted chronicity in all patients, suggesting the capability of changing the pattern of attacks. It proved to be safe and well tolerated.

Changes in medication cost observed in chronic cluster headache patients treated with sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) stimulation: Analysis based on 1-year data from the Pathway R-1 Registry

Cephalalgia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 1455-1462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan B Pietzsch ◽  
Simon A Weber ◽  
Nunu Lund ◽  
Charly Gaul
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Headache ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Chronic Cluster Headache ◽  
Medication Cost ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Sphenopalatine Ganglion ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Medication Costs ◽  
Preventive Medication ◽  
Headache Patients

Background On-demand stimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) by means of an implantable neurostimulation system has been shown to be a safe and effective therapy for treatment-refractory cluster headache patients. Our objective was to estimate changes in cluster headache medication cost observed in SPG-treated chronic patients. Methods Detailed patient-level data of 71 chronic patients treated with the Pulsante® SPG Microstimulator System were available from the Pathway R-1 Registry through 12 months’ follow-up. We used utilization data of preventive and acute medications reported at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months to estimate annualized drug costs for SPG-treated patients and compared it to baseline. Cost estimates for all drug/dosage combinations were developed based on German medication prices for 2016. Results In the base case analysis, mean annual acute and preventive medication costs decreased from €14,178 to €6924 (−€7254; −51%), and €559 to €328 (−€231; −41%), respectively, leading to total estimated annual drug cost savings of €7484, 97% of which were attributable to acute medications. Conclusions Our analysis suggests that SPG stimulation for the treatment of chronic cluster headache is associated with pronounced reductions in cluster headache medication usage that might lead to sizable annual savings in medication costs.

Treatment of refractory chronic cluster headache by chronic occipital nerve stimulation

Cephalalgia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 1101-1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denys Fontaine ◽  
Jean Christophe Sol ◽  
Sylvie Raoul ◽  
Nelly Fabre ◽  
Gilles Geraud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Headache ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Prophylactic Treatment ◽  
International Headache Society ◽  
Chronic Cluster Headache ◽  
Occipital Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Occipital Nerve ◽  
Greater Occipital Nerve ◽  
International Headache Society Classification

Background: Greater occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) has been recently proposed to treat severe chronic cluster headache patients (CCH) refractory to medical treatment. We report the results of a French multidisciplinary cohort study. Methods: Thirteen CCH patients were operated and data were collected prospectively. All of them suffered from CCH according to the International Headache Society classification, lasting for more than 2 years, refractory to pharmacological prophylactic treatment with adequate trials, with at least one daily attack. Chronic ONS was delivered through a subcutaneous occipital electrode connected to an implanted generator, in order to induce paraesthesias perceived locally in the lower occipital region. Results: After surgery (mean follow-up 14,6 months), the mean attack frequency and intensity decreased by 68% and 49%, respectively. At last follow-up, 10/13 patients were considered as responders (improvement >50%). Prophylactic treatment could be stopped or reduced in 8/13 cases. Local infection occurred in one patient, leading to hardware removal. Conclusions: Our data confirmed the results of the 36 similar cases reported in the literature, suggesting that ONS may act as a prophylactic treatment in chronic CH. Considering their respective risks, ONS should be proposed before deep brain stimulation in severe refractory CCH patients.

scholarly journals Stimulation of the Greater Occipital Nerve: Anatomical Considerations and Clinical Implications

2013 ◽  
Vol 3;16 (3;5) ◽  
pp. E181-E189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Headache ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Anatomical Study ◽  
Chronic Cluster Headache ◽  
Individual Response ◽  
Occipital Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Occipital Nerve ◽  
Greater Occipital Nerve ◽  
Stimulation Of

Background: Stimulation of the greater occipital nerve has been employed for various intractable headache conditions for more than a decade. Still, prospective studies that correlate stimulation of the greater occipital nerve with outcome of patients with respect to alleviation of headache are sparsely found in literature. Objective: To identify anatomical landmarks for a reproducible stimulation of the greater occipital nerve. For the clinical implication, the individual response to therapy of patients with refractory chronic cluster headache undergoing occipital nerve stimulation was correlated with the postoperative localization of the electrodes and with the distribution of the stimulation field. Study Design: Prospective observational study, approved by the local research ethics board (09-4143). Setting: University hospital, departments of neurosurgery and neurology, institute of anatomy and radiology. Methods: Ten formaldehyde fixed human cadavers were dissected to identify the passage of the greater occipital nerve through the trapezius muscle. The distance to the external occipital protuberance was triangulated measuring the distance of the nerve from the nuchal midline and the protuberance. Between December 2008 and December 2011, 21 consecutive patients suffering from chronic cluster headache underwent surgery in terms of bilateral occipital nerve stimulation, with electrodes placed horizontally at the level of C1. The postoperative x-rays were compared with the acquired landmarks from the anatomical study. The distribution of the stimulation field was correlated to the individual response of each patient to the therapy and prospectively analyzed with regard to reduction of daily cluster attacks and relief of pain intensity at 3 months and at last follow-up. Results: The greater occipital nerve crosses the trapezius muscle at a mean distance of 31mm below the occipital external protuberance and 14mm lateral to the midline as found in the anatomical subjects. The electrodes were targeted at this level in all of our patients and stimulated the greater occipital nerve in all patients. Eighteen of the patients (85.7%) reported a significant reduction of the frequency of their cluster attacks and/or declined intensity of pain during the attacks. Yet, 3 of 21 patients (14.3%) did not benefit from the stimulation despite an adequate spread of the stimulation over the occiput. The spread of the stimulation-induced paraesthesias over the occiput was not correlated to a reduction of cluster attacks, to the intensity of attacks, or to the response to treatment at all. Limitations: Single center non-randomized non-blinded study. Conclusions: From our study we conclude that a reproducible stimulation of the greater occipital nerve can be achieved by placing the electrodes parallel to the atlas, at about 30mm distance to the external occipital protuberance. The response to the stimulation is not correlated to the field width of the paraesthesia. We, therefore, consider stimulation of the main trunk of the greater occipital nerve to be more important than a large field of stimulation on the occiput. Still, an individual response to the occipital nerve stimulation cannot be predicted even by optimal electrode placement. Key words: Greater occipital nerve, occipital nerve stimulation, anatomical study, chronic cluster headache

Long-term occipital nerve stimulation for drug-resistant chronic cluster headache

Cephalalgia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 756-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Leone ◽  
Alberto Proietti Cecchini ◽  
Giuseppe Messina ◽  
Angelo Franzini
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Headache ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Stable Condition ◽  
Chronic Cluster Headache ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Occipital Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Occipital Nerve ◽  
Headache Patients

Introduction Chronic cluster headache is rare and some of these patients become drug-resistant. Occipital nerve stimulation has been successfully employed in open studies to treat chronic drug-resistant cluster headache. Data from large group of occipital nerve stimulation-treated chronic cluster headache patients with long duration follow-up are advantageous. Patients and methods Efficacy of occipital nerve stimulation has been evaluated in an experimental monocentric open-label study including 35 chronic drug-resistant cluster headache patients (mean age 42 years; 30 men; mean illness duration: 6.7 years). The primary end-point was a reduction in number of daily attacks. Results After a median follow-up of 6.1 years (range 1.6–10.7), 20 (66.7%) patients were responders (≥50% reduction in headache number per day): 12 (40%) responders showed a stable condition characterized by sporadic attacks, five responders had a 60–80% reduction in headache number per day and in the remaining three responders chronic cluster headache was transformed in episodic cluster headache. Ten (33.3%) patients were non-responders; half of these have been responders for a long period (mean 14.6 months; range 2–48 months). Battery depletion (21 patients 70%) and electrode migration (six patients – 20%) were the most frequent adverse events. Conclusions Occipital nerve stimulation efficacy is confirmed in chronic drug-resistant cluster headaches even after an exceptional long-term follow-up. Tolerance can occur years after improvement.

Occipital nerve stimulation in medically intractable, chronic cluster headache. The ICON study: Rationale and protocol of a randomised trial

Cephalalgia ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (15) ◽  
pp. 1238-1247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leopoldine A Wilbrink ◽  
Onno PM Teernstra ◽  
Joost Haan ◽  
Erik W van Zwet ◽  
Silvia MAA Evers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Headache ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Chronic Cluster Headache ◽  
Occipital Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Occipital Nerve ◽  
Low Amplitude ◽  
Headache Patients

Background About 10% of cluster headache patients have the chronic form. At least 10% of this chronic group is intractable to or cannot tolerate medical treatment. Open pilot studies suggest that occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) might offer effective prevention in these patients. Controlled neuromodulation studies in treatments inducing paraesthesias have a general problem in blinding. We have introduced a new design in pain neuromodulation by which we think we can overcome this problem. Methods/design We propose a prospective, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group international clinical study in medically intractable, chronic cluster headache patients of high- versus low-amplitude ONS. Primary outcome measure is the mean number of attacks over the last four weeks. After a study period of six months there is an open extension phase of six months. Alongside the randomised trial an economic evaluation study is performed. Discussion The ICON study will show if ONS is an effective preventive therapy for patients suffering medically intractable chronic cluster headache and if there is a difference between high- and low-amplitude stimulation. The innovative design of the study will, for the first time, assess efficacy of ONS in a blinded way.

scholarly journals Greater Occipital Nerve Blockade for Cluster Headache

Cephalalgia ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 520-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
MFP Peres ◽  
MA Stiles ◽  
HC Siow ◽  
TD Rozen ◽  
WB Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Headache ◽  
Nerve Block ◽  
Preventive Therapy ◽  
Nerve Blockade ◽  
Occipital Nerve ◽  
Primary Headache Disorders ◽  
Greater Occipital Nerve Block ◽  
Greater Occipital Nerve ◽  
Occipital Nerve Block ◽  
Headache Patients

Cluster headache is perhaps the most painful of the primary headache disorders. Its treatment includes acute, transitional, and preventive therapy. Despite the availability of many treatments, cluster headache patients can still be difficult to treat. We treated 14 cluster headache patients with greater occipital nerve block as transitional therapy (treatment initiated at the same time as preventive therapy). The mean number of headache-free days was 13.1+23.6. Four patients (28.5%) had a good response, five (35.7%) a moderate, and five (35.7%) no response. The greater occipital nerve block was well tolerated with no adverse events. Headache intensity, frequency and duration were significantly decreased comparing the week before with the week after the nerve block ( P< 0.003, P = 0.003, P< 0.005, respectively). Greater occipital nerve blockade is a therapeutic option for the transitional treatment of cluster headache.

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