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Increased mechanosensivity of the greater occipital nerve in subjects with side-dominant head and neck pain - a diagnostic case-control study.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: To investigate differences in pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and longitudinal mechanosensitivity of the greater occipital nerve (GON) between patients with side-dominant head and neck pain (SDHNP) and healthy controls. Evaluation of neural sensitivity is not a standard procedure in the physical examination of headache patients but may influence treatment decisions. Methods: Two blinded investigators evaluated PPTs on two different locations bilaterally over the GON as well as the occipitalis longsitting-slump (OLSS) in subjects with SDHNP (n = 38)) and healthy controls (n = 38). Results: Pressure pain sensitivity of the GON was lower at the occiput in patients compared to controls (p = 0.001). Differences in pressure sensitivity of the GON at the nucheal line, or between the dominant headache side and the non-dominant side were not found (p > 0.05). The OLSS showed significant higher pain intensity in SDHNP (p < 0.001). In comparison to the non-dominant side, the dominant side was significantly more sensitive (p = 0.004). Discussion: Palpation of the GON at the occiput and the OLSS may be potentially relevant tests in SDHNP. One explanation for an increased bilateral sensitivity may be sensitization mechanisms. Future research should investigate the efficacy of neurodynamic techniques directed at the GON. Level of Evidence: 3b.

SUBMITTER: Szikszay TM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6071269 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Increased mechanosensivity of the greater occipital nerve in subjects with side-dominant head and neck pain - a diagnostic case-control study.

Szikszay Tibor M TM Luedtke Kerstin K Harry von Piekartz P

The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy 20180731 4

<b>Objectives</b>: To investigate differences in pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and longitudinal mechanosensitivity of the greater occipital nerve (GON) between patients with side-dominant head and neck pain (SDHNP) and healthy controls. Evaluation of neural sensitivity is not a standard procedure in the physical examination of headache patients but may influence treatment decisions. <b>Methods</b>: Two blinded investigators evaluated PPTs on two different locations bilaterally over the GON as ...[more]

PMID: 30083047

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Project description:BackgroundGreater occipital nerve blocks (GONB) are used increasingly to treat acute migraine.ObjectiveWe conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine whether GONB was as effective as intravenous metoclopramide for migraine.MethodsThis was a double-dummy, double-blind, parallel-arm, non-inferiority study conducted in 2 emergency departments (EDs). Patients with migraine of moderate or severe intensity were randomized to receive bilateral GONB with each side administered 3 mL of bupivacaine 0.5% or metoclopramide 10 mg IV, the putative standard of care. The primary outcome was improvement in pain on a 0-10 scale between time 0 and 1 hour later. To reject the null hypothesis that metoclopramide would be more efficacious in relieving pain, we required that the lower limit of the 95% CI for the difference in pain improvement between those randomized to GONB vs those randomized to metoclopramide be >-1.3, a validated minimum clinically important difference. Secondary outcomes included sustained headache relief, defined as achieving and maintaining for 48 hours a headache level of mild or none without the use of additional analgesic medication, and the use of rescue medication in the ED.ResultsOver a 2.5-year study period, 1358 patients were screened for participation and 99 were randomized, 51 to GONB and 48 to metoclopramide. All of these patients were included in the primary analysis. Patients who received the GONB reported mean improvement of 5.0 (95% CI: 4.1, 5.8) while those who received metoclopramide reported a larger mean improvement of 6.1 (95% CI: 5.2, 6.9). The 95% CI for the between group difference of -1.1 was -2.3, 0.1. Sustained headache relief was reported by 11/51 (22%) GONB and 18/47 (38%) metoclopramide patients (95% CI for rounded difference of 17%: -1, 35%). Of the 51 GONB patients, 17 (33%) required rescue medication in the ED vs 8/48 (17%) metoclopramide patients (95% CI for rounded difference of 17%: 0, 33%). An adverse event was reported by 16/51 (31%) GONB patients and 18/48 (38%) metoclopramide patients (95% CI for (rounded) difference of 6%: -13, 25%).ConclusionGONB with bupivacaine was not as efficacious as IV metoclopramide for the first-line treatment of migraine in the ED.

Project description:ObjectiveSurgeon-performed head and neck ultrasound (US) is increasingly used among otolaryngologists in office-based and surgical settings. However, it is unknown how formal US training affects otolaryngology residents' diagnostic workup of patients with cervical pathology. This study examined how a formal US course for residents affected their outpatient clinic US performance and diagnostic accuracy.MethodsWe conducted a randomized cross-over trial, where 13 otolaryngology residents participated in a 6-h formal US course. Participants were randomized to perform head and neck US on four patient cases before and after completing the course. Eight patients with and without neck pathology were invited to participate as test cases. The ultrasound examinations were video recorded and anonymized before two consultants rated the US performance using the Objective Structured Assessment of Ultrasound Skills (OSAUS) scale. Otolaryngology residents wrote an ultrasound report with a diagnosis based on their US examination, which was used to calculate the specificity and sensitivity.ResultsWe found a statistically significant difference in the OSAUS score before compared to after the hands-on training (p = .035). The diagnostic accuracy also increased from 62% before the course to 75% after the course (p = .02). Specificity increased from 54% prior to the course to 62% following the course, and sensitivity increased from 64% prior to the course to 79% following the course. The intraclass correlation coefficient with "absolute agreement" was 0.63.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that short, formal ultrasound training can improve otolaryngology residents' ultrasound skills and diagnostic accuracy in an outpatient clinic setting.Lay summaryThis study looks at the change of otolaryngology residents' diagnostic workup of patients after they take a formal ultrasound course and shows that they get better at using ultrasound and make more accurate diagnoses if they take a formal course.Level of evidenceLevel 2.

Dataset Information

Increased mechanosensivity of the greater occipital nerve in subjects with side-dominant head and neck pain - a diagnostic case-control study.

Publications

Increased mechanosensivity of the greater occipital nerve in subjects with side-dominant head and neck pain - a diagnostic case-control study.

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