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Title: Pulsed Radiofrequency Neuromodulation Of Greater Occipital Nerve For Refractory Occipital Neuralgia: A Case Series.
e-poster Number: INSIM118
Category: Pain
Author Name: Pradeep Atter
Institute: All India Institute of Medical Sciences-Rishikesh
Co-Author Name: Aditya Pal Mahiswar, Ravi Shankar Sharma
Abstract :
Background and Aim:
Occipital neuralgia occurs due to compression or irritation of occipital nerves. Treatment modalities ranges from pharmacotherapy to surgical procedures. Greater occipital nerve (GON) block is the main stay of treatment if conservative management fails. PRF act through a temperature independent, neuro-modulatory process with minimal tissue destruction. Evidence supported PRF as safe and effective interventional treatment option. Despite these encouraging studies, conclusive evidence in support of therapeutic efficacy is lacking. So here we described a case series of 17 patients underwent PRF of greater occipital nerve for refractory occipital neuralgia.
Material and method:
17 patients of occipital neuralgia refractory to pharmacotherapy underwent USG guided Pulsed Radiofrequency lesioning aided by high frequency linear probe. The GON was recognised as a structure lying deeper to Semi-spinalis Capitis and superficial to Inferior Oblique Capitis. We used a 22 G 5 mm active tip RF needle. After sensory and motor stimulation, PRF lesioning was performed consisting of two cycles at 42°C. Each cycle lasting for 120 seconds. We compared the baseline NRS with NRS at immediate post intervention 15 days, 1 month and 6 months after procedure.
Result and conclusions
The mean NRS at the time of presentation was 7.82+/10. During the 6 month follow up their pain was relieved and mean NRS was 2.52+0.51/10. So PRF is an effective treatment modality for Occipital neuralgia.
