Cervicogenic headache: Techniques of diagnostic nerve blocks

J.A. van Suijlekom, W.E.J. Weber, M. van Kleef

Pain Management and Research Centre, Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands

ABSTRACT
The term cervicogenic headache (CEH) was introduced by Sjaastad and coworkers in 1983. In 1990 Sjaastad et al. published diagnostic criteria for CEH. In 1998 refinements of these criteria were published, emphasising the use of diagnostic nerve blocks in patients with CEH as important confirmatory evidence. However, the standardisation of diagnostic nerve blocks in the diagnosis of CEH remains to be defined. Herein we present an overview of diagnostic nerve blocks in the cervical area. Suggestions as to their role in the diagnosis of CEH are given.

Key words
Cervicogenic headache, diagnostic nerve block, greater occipital nerve block, intervertebral disc block, minor occipital nerve block, segmental nerve block, zygapophyseal joint block.

Please address correspondence and reprint requests to: J.A. van Suijlekom, MD, Pain Management and Research Centre, Dept. of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital of Maastricht, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
E-mail: jvs@sane.azm.nl

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2000: 18 (Suppl. 19): S39-S44.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2000.