COMBINATION OF TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION (TENS) AND OCCIPITAL NERVE BLOCK IN REFRACTORY CLUSTER HEADACHE

Abstract

Cluster headache (CH) can be extremely resistant to medical treatment. There are no prognostic signs that can previously determent persistence and resistance to medical treatment. We report on medical treatment-resistant cluster headache that relieved with transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation treatment followed with occipital nerve block (ONB) method. A 39-year-old male patient that was diagnosed with a cluster headache that was resistant to a combination of the highest tolerated drug dose of verapamil, valproic acid, and oral methylprednisolone. Due to its resistance to medical treatment for one month, in addition, treatment with transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation and following (ONB) showed sudden and permanent control of headache.

Keywords

• cluster headache
• nerve block
• transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation
• refractory cluster headache
• occipital nerve