Myofascial pain may present clinically as occipital neuralgia.
Three case presentations illustrate that the clinical signs and symptoms of occipital neuralgia may be produced by myofascial pain. Assessment of myofascial trigger points is needed before making a diagnosis of occipital neuralgia. Myofascial trigger points can be effectively treated with minimally invasive procedures, thereby avoiding irreversible surgical interventions.
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012535:Scalp / Q000294:innervation