Comparison of greater occipital nerve and greater occipital nerve + supraorbital nerve block effect in chronic medication overuse headache.

Background /aim: In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy of greater occipital nerve (GON) block alone and GON combined with supraorbital nerve (SON) block in the treatment of medication overuse headache (MOH).

Material And Methods: 82 patients were divided into two groups: 41 patients were administered bilateral GON block while the other 41 patients GON + SON block. Nerve blocks were administered every 10 days for a total of 5 sessions. After each administration and 20 days after the last injection, information on pre and post treatment numerical rating scale (NRS) score, number of painful days, analgesic intake, duration of pain were collected.

Results: The decrease in headache evaluation parameters was similar in both groups after the block. The NRS scores in the GON and GON + SON groups before the treatment was (8.2 ± 0.7, 8.5 ± 0.7), the number of painful days in a month was (21.4 ± 6.9, 21.2 ± 4.6 days), the number of analgesics taken monthly was (45 ± 25.6, 47.5 ± 29.9), the duration of pain was (44.9 ± 24.6, 41.7 ± 22.8 h), respectively. On the 60th day of treatment, the NRS scores in the GON and GON + SON groups were found to be (6.8 ± 2.5, 4.8 ± 2.3), the number of painful days in a month was (4.2 ± 3.3, 2.2 ± 1.5), respectively. The number of monthly analgesic consumption was (4.4 ± 3.8, 0.9 ± 1.2), and the duration of pain was (28.4 ± 19.3, 19.4 ± 16.1 h).

Conclusion: This study showed significant reductions in headache parameters in both groups. However, NRS score, analgesic intake, number of painful days, and pain duration significantly better improved in the GON block added SON block group.