Marcolla IMG, Camargo CHF, Coutinho L, Ferreira MG, Tiburtino Meira A, Piovesan EJ, Ghizoni Teive HA. Treatment of occipital neuralgia using onabotulinum toxin A.
Acta Neurol Scand 2022;
145:193-199. [PMID:
34542909 DOI:
10.1111/ane.13533]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To determine the effectiveness of botulinum toxin in a sample of patients diagnosed with greater occipital nerve neuralgia.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Twenty-nine patients (28 females, 1 male) were treated for greater occipital nerve neuralgia with onabotulinum toxin type A; the Visual Analog Pain Scale was used to determine pain severity at treatment and again 12 weeks after application.
RESULTS
Average doses of onabotulinum toxin type A of 18.66±6.44 U per nerve and 35.96±12.89 U per patient were utilized. Average pain severity among the sample was 9.81±0.89 prior to botulinum toxin application and 3.68±2.31 points (p<0.0001) twelve weeks after application. Pain frequency decreased from 29.93±0.37 to 12.17±11.05 days with pain per month (p<0.0001). Six patients reported absence of pain after application (p=0.023). Dose did not correlate with the degree of clinical response observed, and no side effects were reported.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest onabotulinum toxin type A is a safe and effective treatment alternative for patients suffering from refractory greater occipital nerve neuralgia.
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