Epidural corticosteroid blockade in cervicogenic headache.
Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a relatively common form of headache stemming from the neck structures which presents some pathophysiological condition probably linked together with various pain-producing factors. This report presents a series of 9 patients suffering from cervicogenic headache and the results achieved by means of epidural steroid (methylprednisolone 40 mg) injection into the epidural cervical space (C6-C7 or C7-T1) level. The effectiveness of this diagnostic blockade was compared with the results obtained using the same procedure in 6 chronic tension headache (CTH) patients. A sharp decrease in the Numeric Intensity Scale (NIS) and in the Drug Consumption Index (DCI) values were observed after the diagnostic procedure in CGH patients. The short-term (12 hours) and medium-term (4 weeks) marked clinical improvement obtained in CGH patients may increase the number of available diagnostic tools which can be used to identify these underestimated patients population. The long-term effectiveness of this approach in cervicogenic patients is being evaluated over time.
Martelletti
P
P
Department of Clinical Medicine, Headache Centre, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Di Sabato
F
F
Granata
M
M
Alampi
D
D
Apponi
F
F
Borgonuovo
P
P
Reale
C
C
Giacovazzo
M
M
D000328:Adult; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009333:Neck / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone