Peripheral Nerve Blockade and Botox Treatment in Chronic Migraine: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Migraine is the most commonly encountered disabling headache. Chronic migraine significantly affects the quality of life and reduces the ability to attend work and social events, and consequently becomes an increasing economic burden.In recent years, peripheral nerve block with botulinum toxin A (botox) and local analgesics has been included in alternative treatment regimens.In cases of chronic migraine, botox is injected into the facial area, maxillary and mandibular nerve, and the head and neck muscles.Recent methods such as great occipital nerve (GON), and lesser occipital nerve, supra orbital nerve (SON), sphenopalatine ganglion blockade and trigeminal ganglion blockade have been applied using local analgesics. GON and SON blockade are the most frequently used of these methods. Studies related to these methods have shown a decrease in the frequency and severity of migraine pain.The results of this study showed that both GON and SON blockade and long-term application of BTX-A treatment were highly effective in the treatment of chronic migraine and both treatment methods had a similar level of effectiveness.That the follow-up period of this study was longer than in previous research can be considered a strong aspect of the study.