The effect of radiofrequency neurotomy of lower cervical medial branches on cervicogenic headache.
OBJECTIVE
Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is known to be mainly related with upper cervical problems. In this study, the effect of radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) for lower cervical (C4-7) medial branches on CGH was evaluated.


METHODS
Eleven patients with neck pain and headache, who were treated with lower cervical RFN due to supposed lower cervical zygapophysial joint pain without symptomatic intervertebral disc problem or stenosis, were enrolled in this study. CGH was diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria of the cervicogenic headache international study group. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score and degree of VAS improvement (VASi) (%) were checked for evaluation of the effect of lower cervical RFN on CGH.


RESULTS
The VAS score at 6 months after RFN was 2.7±1.3, which were significantly decreased comparing to the VAS score before RFN, 8.1±1.1 (p<0.001). The VASi at 6 months after RFN was 63.8±17.1%. There was no serious complication.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that lower cervical disorders can play a role in the genesis of headache in addition to the upper cervical disorders or independently.
Department of Neurosurgery, Spine Center, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Seung Won
SW
Park
Yong Sook
YS
Park
Taek Kyun
TK
Nam
Tack-Geun
TG
Cho