Nerve Block: Occipital
Background
- Therapeutic and diagnostic for occipital neuralgia
- Nerve is between ~8-18 mm deep[1]
Procedure
- 1% bupivicaine, 2-3 cc
- Traditionally done "blindly" with palpation of occipital protuberance
- Then palpate laterally to find the tender nerve on the side of the headaches
- Palpate the occiptal artery above the superior nuchal line, and inject just medially to that
- ↑ M. Greher, B. Moriggl, M. Curatolo, L. Kirchmair and U. Eichenberger. Sonographic visualization and ultrasound-guided blockade of the greater occipital nerve: a comparison of two selective techniques confirmed by anatomical dissection. Br. J. Anaesth. (2010) 104 (5): 637-642.