Greater Occipital Nerve Block as a Tool to Diagnose Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension Before Epidural Blood Patch: A Case Report
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Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Author Spotlight: Minimally Invasive Relief for Occipital Neuralgia at the Nuchal Line
Published on: September 13, 2024
Andrea Bortolato1,2, Davide Simonato2, Federica Garrì3
1From the Neuroanesthesia and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Abstract:
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) has been increasingly characterized in recent years. A definitive diagnostic algorithm remains controversial because several symptoms are often found to be nonspecific. When neuroimaging fails to identify a cerebrospinal fluid leak and symptoms are atypical, an epidural blood patch (EBP) may be performed but not without risks. Our case shows how greater occipital nerve block (GONB) can expedite SIH diagnosis in a man with atypical presentation by reducing the sensory input from the posterior cranial fossa. The relief provided by GONB allowed to diagnose SIH promptly and the patient underwent a curative EBP.
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