Authors' recommendations: Occipital neuralgia is a rare neurological disorder characterized by piercing, throbbing, or electricshock- like pain in the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the ears, usually on one side of the head. Typically, the pain of occipital neuralgia begins in the neck and spreads upwards. Some individuals also experience pain in the scalp, forehead, and behind the eyes. The location of pain is related to the course of the greater and lesser occipital nerves, which runs from the site at which the spinal cord meets the skull, up to the scalp at the back of the head. Occipital neuralgia can occur due to irritation or injury of the occipital nerve; however, in many cases the cause is unknown. A wide range of therapies has been used for the management of intractable occipital neuralgia. Conservative treatment options include painkillers and other types of drugs, which may be supplemented with injections of anesthetic and steroid to reduce inflammation and block transmission of pain signals. If conservative treatments fail, patients with occipital neuralgia may undergo surgery to decompress or destroy segments of the occipital nerve. These surgical techniques are highly invasive and they may not provide complete, long-term relief.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2011

URL for published report: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=7288

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: 2011 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc