Exploring Proximal and Distal Ultrasound-Guided Greater Occipital Nerve Block Approaches in Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This research paper examines the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided greater occipital nerve block (US-GONB) for treating migraines. Researchers analyzed data from twelve studies involving 658 patients. They looked at how US-GONB affected pain intensity, headache frequency, headache duration, and the use of pain medication. The results showed that US-GONB significantly reduced pain intensity by 3.48 points. It also decreased the number of headache days by 9.12 per month. Additionally, headache duration was reduced by nearly 19 hours, and patients used 10 fewer analgesics monthly. Interestingly, the location of the injection did not significantly affect pain intensity. However, there was a notable difference in headache frequency based on the injection site, favoring the proximal approach. Overall, the findings suggest that US-GONB is a promising treatment option for migraine patients, offering substantial relief from symptoms and medication use. Clinical relevance: This research indicates that ultrasound-guided greater occipital nerve block can effectively reduce migraine symptoms and medication usage, providing a valuable treatment option for patients.