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BMC Anesthesiology
Published in: BMC Anesthesiology 1/2006

Open Access 01-12-2006 | Research article

Randomised controlled trial of cervical radiofrequency lesions as a treatment for cervicogenic headache [ISRCTN07444684]

Authors: Sara RS Haspeslagh, Hans A Van Suijlekom, Inge E Lamé, Alfons GH Kessels, Maarten van Kleef, Wim EJ Weber

Published in: BMC Anesthesiology | Issue 1/2006

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Abstract

Background

Cervicogenic headache (CEH) is a unilateral headache localised in the neck or occipital region, projecting to the frontal and temporal regions. Since the pathogenesis of this syndrome appears to have an anatomical basis in the cervical region, several surgical procedures aimed at reducing the nociceptive input on the cervical level, have been tested. We developed a sequence of various cervical radiofrequency neurotomies (facet joint denervations eventually followed by upper dorsal root ganglion neurotomies) that proved successful in a prospective pilot trial with 15 CEH patients. To further evaluate this sequential treatment program we conducted a randomised controlled trial

Methods

30 patients with cervicogenic headache according to the Sjaastad diagnostic criteria, were randomised. 15 patients received a sequence of radiofrequency treatments (cervical facet joint denervation, followed by cervical dorsal root ganglion lesions when necessary), and the other 15 patients underwent local injections with steroid and anaesthetic at the greater occipital nerve, followed by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) when necessary. Visual analogue scores for pain, global perceived effects scores, quality of life scores were assessed at 8, 16, 24 and 48 weeks. Patients also kept a headache diary.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatment groups at any time point in the trial.

Conclusion

We did not find evidence that radiofrequency treatment of cervical facet joints and upper dorsal root ganglions is a better treatment than the infiltration of the greater occipital nerve, followed by TENS for patients fulfilling the clinical criteria of cervicogenic headache.

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    1. The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://​www.​biomedcentral.​com/​1471-2253/​6/​1/​prepub
Metadata
Title
Randomised controlled trial of cervical radiofrequency lesions as a treatment for cervicogenic headache [ISRCTN07444684]
Authors
Sara RS Haspeslagh
Hans A Van Suijlekom
Inge E Lamé
Alfons GH Kessels
Maarten van Kleef
Wim EJ Weber
Publication date
01-12-2006
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Anesthesiology / Issue 1/2006
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2253
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2253-6-1

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