Greater occipital nerve block versus intranasal sphenopalatine ganglion block in chronic migraine with failure of at least two oral preventive treatments: a prospective, non-randomised patient-preference comparative study.

This study compared two treatments for chronic migraine: greater occipital nerve (GON) block and intranasal sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block. Both treatments were given to patients who failed at least two oral medications. Researchers followed 100 patients over six months, focusing on their migraine frequency, pain intensity, and medication use. Out of these, 78 patients completed the study with data collected at one, three, and six months. The GON block involved an injection of bupivacaine, while the SPG block used a topical method. The study aimed to see if the two treatments led to different outcomes. Results showed both treatments could help reduce migraine symptoms, but the study did not randomize patients into groups. This research provides valuable insights into alternative treatment options for chronic migraine sufferers who haven’t found relief from traditional medications. Clinical relevance: This study suggests that GON and SPG blocks can effectively reduce chronic migraine symptoms when oral medications fail.