The anatomy of the greater occipital nerve: Part II. Compression point topography.
BACKGROUND
Advances in the understanding of migraine trigger points have pointed to entrapment of peripheral nerves in the head and neck as a cause of this debilitating condition. An anatomical study was undertaken to develop a greater understanding of the potential entrapment sites along the course of this nerve.


METHODS
The posterior neck and scalp of 25 fresh cadaveric heads were dissected. The greater occipital nerve was identified within the subcutaneous tissue above the trapezius and traced both proximal and distal. Its fascial, muscular, and vascular investments were located and accurately measured relative to established bony landmarks.


RESULTS
Dissection of the greater occipital nerve revealed six major compression points along its course. The deepest (most proximal) point was between the semispinalis and the obliquus capitis inferior, near the spinous process. The second point was at its entrance into the semispinalis. The previously described "intermediate" point was at the nerve's exit from the semispinalis. A fourth point was located at the entrance of the nerve into the trapezius muscle. The fifth point of compression is where the nerve exits the trapezius fascia insertion into the nuchal line. The occipital artery often crosses the nerve, and this frequently occurs in this distal region of the trapezius fascia, which is the final point.


CONCLUSIONS
There are six compression points along the greater occipital nerve. These can be located using the data from this study, serving as a guide for surgeons interested in treating patients with migraine headaches originating in these areas. Long-term relief from migraine headaches has been demonstrated clinically by using both noninvasive and surgical decompression of these points.
Janis
Jeffrey E
JE
Dallas and Houston, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Cleveland, Ohio From the Departments of Plastic Surgery of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Hatef
Daniel A
DA
Ducic
Ivica
I
Reece
Edward M
EM
Hamawy
Adam H
AH
Becker
Stephen
S
Guyuron
Bahman
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000294:innervation*; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D011312:Pressure; D012535:Scalp / Q000294:innervation*