Effectiveness of Percutaneous Radiofrequency Cervical Zygapophyseal Neurotomy in Improving Chronic Cervicogenic Headache

Abstract

Background: A variety of modalities have been developed to relieve cervicogenic headache. From these, percutaneous radiofrequency  neurotomy is the most commonly investigated treatment option in the literature and has been reported to give satisfactory results.

Objective: The present research evaluated radiofrequency neurotomy's effectiveness in reliving cervicogenic headaches, originating  from the zygapophysial joint.

Subjects and Methods: The current investigation was carried out at the Neurosurgery Department of Hospital of University of Suez  Canal, Egypt, Ismailia. Twenty-four patients with chronic headache meeting the diagnostic criteria of cervicogenic headache were  enrolled and underwent radiofrequency neurotomy. Afterwards, their pain intensity was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at one  month, one week, twelve months, and at six months and compared to their baseline scores.

Results: VAS scores improved by over 75% in  62.5% of patients 1 week following the treatment. This percentage increased to 87.5% after 1 month; however, it declined again to 70.8%  in patients after 12 months. After the course of therapy, patients saw a sixty-five percent reduction in their weekly average analgesic  administration and an average of 5.8 fewer headache days per week (down from 5.8 to 1.9). There were no significant post-procedural  problems.

Conclusion: Reducing the need for analgesics and alleviating chronic cervicogenic headaches are two major benefits of  radiofrequency neurotomy.