Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Combined Migraine and Cervicogenic Headache (New Approach)

Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Combined Migraine and Cervicogenic Headache (New Approach): Randomized Clinical Trial

Combined migraine and cervicogenic headache present significant challenges in clinical management due to their complex and overlapping pathophysiologies. Both conditions involve the trigeminocervical complex, suggesting a potential shared anatomical and neurobiological basis

Traditional treatment approaches for these headaches often include pharmacological interventions, but in cases of refractory or inadequate response, interventional techniques targeting the greater occipital nerve (GON) have gained attention.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has gained recognition as a potential therapeutic option for patients with refractory combined migraine and cervicogenic headaches. The proximal and distal ultrasound-guided approaches are widely utilized for GON RFA. These approaches aim to disrupt pain signals transmitted by the GON and provide relief of pain for these headache disorders

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed with combined migraine and cervicogenic headache according to The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)
• Age between 18 and 65 years.
• Willingness to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous neurosurgical procedures for headache management.
• Patients with contraindications for the RF technique
• Pregnancy or lactation
• History of psychiatric disorders or substance abuse