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Updated: May 31, 2026
Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
Published on: May 10, 2017
Treatment of refractory chronic cluster headache by chronic occipital nerve stimulation
Denys Fontaine1, Jean Christophe Sol, Sylvie Raoul
1Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, France.
Background:
Greater occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) has been recently proposed to treat severe chronic cluster headache patients (CCH) refractory to medical treatment. We report the results of a French multidisciplinary cohort study.
Methods:
Thirteen CCH patients were operated and data were collected prospectively. All of them suffered from CCH according to the International Headache Society classification, lasting for more than 2 years, refractory to pharmacological prophylactic treatment with adequate trials, with at least one daily attack. Chronic ONS was delivered through a subcutaneous occipital electrode connected to an implanted generator, in order to induce paraesthesias perceived locally in the lower occipital region.
Results:
After surgery (mean follow-up 14,6 months), the mean attack frequency and intensity decreased by 68% and 49%, respectively. At last follow-up, 10/13 patients were considered as responders (improvement >50%). Prophylactic treatment could be stopped or reduced in 8/13 cases. Local infection occurred in one patient, leading to hardware removal.
Conclusions:
Our data confirmed the results of the 36 similar cases reported in the literature, suggesting that ONS may act as a prophylactic treatment in chronic CH. Considering their respective risks, ONS should be proposed before deep brain stimulation in severe refractory CCH patients.
