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OCCIPITAL NERVE BLOCK:

An occipital nerve block is done when there is inflammation of the occipital nerves (located in the back of the head) that is causing headaches.   Local anesthetics and a steroid are injected into the occipital region in order to reduce inflammation of the nerves and provide pain relief.

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SUPRATROCHLEAR NERVE BLOCK:

Supratrochlear nerve is a terminal sensory branch of the trigeminal nerve.  It exits the orbital and then travels over the forehead to innervate the upper eyelid, forehead and anterior scalp.

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SUPRAORBITAL NERVE BLOCKS

The supraorbital nerve is the larger  terminal sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve. It innervates the upper eyelid and conjunctiva. It then travels up the forehead

 

AURICULOTEMPORAL NERVE BLOCKS

The auriculotemporal nerve is a posterior division of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve. It innervates the temples and the temporomandibular joint. Its superficial branches innervate the tragus (triangular portion of the earlobe) and earlobe.

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PROTOCOL:

Done weekly for 1 month then monthly thereafter

Initial injection: 

• local anesthetics and a steroid

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Follow- Up Injections

• only local anesthetics

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SIDE EFFECTS:

Uncommon but important adverse effects include transient dizziness, light-headedness, transient headache exacerbation, and rarely localized lipoatrophy and alopecia with corticosteroids