Occipital or Arnold’s neuralgia is generally unilateral pain located in the occipital and posterior parietal region corresponding to the distribution area of the second posterior cervical root or Arnold’s nerve. It is associated with paraesthesia or hypostasis of the occipital and parietal area.

When treatment with nerve blocks is insufficient, various surgical possibilities are available:

RADIOFREQUENCY OF THE OCCIPITAL NERVE. A simple procedure performed under local anaesthetic. There are no complications.

OCCIPITAL NERVE STIMULATION. This is a simple procedure, but somewhat more complex, under general anaesthetic, and with placement of prosthetic material for permanent stimulation of the occipital nerve. It has a low complication rate, and should any occur, they are minor. The probability of improvement is 70%.

 

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