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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2021; 82(05): 494-499
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1719109
Case Report

Entrapment of the Greater Occipital Nerve with Chronic Migraine and Severe Facial Pain: A Case Report

Byung-chul Son
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seocho-gu, Seoul, the Republic of Korea
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Abstract

Migraine is thought to be a primary neurovascular headache due to brain dysfunction and is known to involve peripheral and central sensitization. A female patient with chronic migraine symptoms for 30 years reported severe pain in the deep ear and face. This headache always showed the same pattern and temporal progression. The sudden onset of ache and throbbing pain in the right temporo-occipital area extended to the left temporo-occipital areas. She felt sick as if the head would burst, and nausea and vomiting occurred. During the last 3 years, the patient endured sharp pain in bilateral deep ears and severe pain in the face as if all the facial bones were broken, and tears flowed. Chronic disabling headache and facial pain improved with the decompression of the greater occipital nerve. This case suggests that peripheral sensitization may be related to the pathophysiology of migraine, especially in the migraine without aura.

Keywords

chronic migraine - decompression - greater occipital nerve - migraine - trigeminocervical complex - trigeminal pain


Publication History

Received: 02 May 2020

Accepted: 08 June 2020

Article published online:
01 January 2021

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