Full Head Block for headache treatment: technical description, indications and mechanisms

Abstract

Headache is a most prevalent neurological condition in the world and has a major impact on quality of life. The causes are usually multifactorial and may have a chronic character. Headache management involves pharmacological and non-pharmacological approach; invasive and noninvasive. Peripheral nerve block is already a viable, safe, and effective treatment option, such as major occipital nerve block. Full head block is a minimally invasive proposal of peripheral pain neuromodulation for the treatment of refractory or severe headache, mainly. The aim of this paper is to describe a technique and discuss the role of full head block in the headache management. The proposal is bilaterally anesthetizing the following nerves: major and minor occipital, supraorbital, supratrochlear, zygomatic-temporal and auriculo-temporal with local anesthetic and a corticosteroid. Many aspects should be studied: efficacy and safety of the technique, clinical indications, professional training, need for USG guidance, adequate dose of anesthetic and corticosteroids. In order to further evaluate the role of peripheral blocks in headaches randomized controlled trials are required.