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Nerve Blocks in Pediatric and Adolescent Headache Disorders
1Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Montreal Children's Hospital - McGill University Health Center, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada. sasha.dubrovsky@mcgill.ca.
Current Pain and Headache Reports
|November 11, 2017
Summary
Peripheral nerve blocks, particularly greater occipital nerve blocks, offer effective relief for pediatric headaches. This review highlights their utility for acute and chronic pain management in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Pain Management
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Headaches are a significant source of suffering in children, often proving difficult to treat.
- Peripheral nerve blocks of the scalp, especially greater occipital nerve blocks, are gaining attention as a therapeutic option.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a narrative review of pediatric-specific studies on the efficacy of nerve blocks for headache disorders.
- To explore the utility of scalp nerve blocks in managing pediatric headaches.
Main Methods:
- Review of published pediatric literature focusing on nerve blocks for headache treatment.
- Analysis of seven pediatric publications detailing therapeutic outcomes.
Main Results:
- Bilateral greater occipital nerve blocks demonstrated excellent effectiveness for primary chronic and post-traumatic headaches in children.
- Lidocaine is the preferred anesthetic; the role of steroids requires further investigation.
- Achieving complete paresthesia is crucial for maximizing treatment effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral nerve blocks of the scalp represent a valuable addition to the treatment options for pediatric headaches.
- Frontline clinicians can effectively utilize these nerve blocks in their practice for managing pediatric headache disorders.
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