Temporary Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Greater Occipital Neuralgia

Greater occipital neuralgia (GON), a cause of chronic headaches, can be debilitating and vastly affect one's quality of life. Recent strides in comprehending the pathophysiology of GON and the ongoing evolution of approaches to the condition's treatment have led to the pursuit of more effective interventions. Among these, temporary peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) devices have surfaced as an avenue for management, presenting a minimally invasive yet highly efficient alternative in treating other chronic pain conditions. This study discusses a case of GON successfully managed with temporary (60-day) PNS.

A 35-year-old man presented with a nearly 8-month history of intractable headaches without any inciting event along the left greater occipital nerve distribution. The patient underwent a series of 2 diagnostic GON blocks and experienced 90% pain relief. A 60-day PNS device was implanted to treat the patient's left-side GON, and during the 6-month period, the patient received 75% pain with no complications.

Temporary PNS is a promising treatment for painful mononeuropathies. Most PNS devices are implanted permanently to provide benefits, but this new development allows temporary stimulation devices to manage chronic pain. This case demonstrates another potential therapeutic option for pain management providers to alleviate pain in patients suffering from GON.