Anesthetic Greater Occipital Nerve Blockade in Veterans With Post-Traumatic Headache: Sub-study 2
Yale University
Summary
Anesthetic greater occipital nerve (GON) blockade is a simple, inexpensive, and safe procedure that has demonstrable headache pain suppressing effects. In this study, Veterans with post-traumatic headache will be randomized to receive 0.0%, 0.05%, or 0.5% bupivacaine in bilateral GON blocks and the lasting (i.e., transitional) effects on headache frequency measured in a headache diary.
Description
Military Servicemembers are at elevated risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its consequences, including post-traumatic headache (PTH). The most common phenotype of PTH is migraine, for which there are numerous potential treatments, though these have limitations, including poor efficacy, drug-drug interactions, and intolerable side effects. Therefore, the consideration of other methods to manage PTH in Servicemembers and Veterans is warranted. Anesthetic greater occipital nerve (GON) blockade is a simple, inexpensive, and safe procedure that has demonstrable headache pain suppressing eff…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * United States Military Veterans within VA Connecticut Healthcare System1. * Head injury with headaches that have continued to occur for at least three months after the head injury * At least two headache days per week * Review of the medical record does not reveal another source for headache Exclusion Criteria: * Skull defect * Other contraindication to bupivacaine * Allergy or adverse reaction (e.g., rash, cardiac effects) to amide anesthetics, such as lidocaine * Instruction from clinician to avoid amide anesthetics, such as lidocaine * Pregnant or lack of adequate b…
Interventions
- DrugBupivacaine bilateral greater occipital nerve block
Three subcutaneous injections of 1 mL each will be injected on both sides of the occipital region around the greater occipital nerve.
Location
- VA Connecticut Healthcare SystemWest Haven, Connecticut