Cervicogenic headache. Long-term results of radiofrequency treatment of the planum nuchale.
Seven female patients, all fulfilling the current criteria for cervicogenic headache, underwent radiofrequency treatment of the periosteum of the external surface of the occipital bone ("planum nuchale") on the symptomatic side, as described by Blume. The patients were followed up for approximately 4.5 years postoperatively. In three patients, the operation was considered completely successful (43%), whereas it was completely unsuccessful in two patients. In the two remaining patients, a considerable improvement (60-70%) was obtained. Thus, in 71% of the patients, an improvement of varying degree was obtained. In one of the patients who did not improve, a local effusion developed in the wake of the procedure. In the future, this procedure will probably be one of the therapeutic options for cervicogenic headache. These results provide further evidence establishing cervicogenic headache as a disorder, distinguishable from common migraine ("migraine without aura").