J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2015 Jul;58(1):89-92. 10.3340/jkns.2015.58.1.89.

Successful Treatment of Occipital Radiating Headache Using Pulsed Radiofrequency Therapy

• Lee SY
• Jang DI
• Noh C
• Ko YK

• KMID: 2067112
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2015.58.1.89

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving multiple joints. The cervical spine is often affected, and cases involving atlantoaxial joint can lead to instability. Anterior atlantoaxial subluxation in RA patients can lead to posterior neck pain or occipital headache because of compression of the C2 ganglion or nerve. Here, we report the successful treatment of a RA patient with occipital radiating headache using pulsed radiofrequency therapy at the C2 dorsal root ganglion.

Keyword

Pulsed radiofrequency; Atlantoaxial subluxation; C2 dorsal root ganglion; Occipital headache

MeSH Terms

Arthritis, Rheumatoid
Atlanto-Axial Joint
Ganglia, Spinal
Ganglion Cysts
Headache*
Humans
Joints
Neck Pain
Spine

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Lateral flexed cervical radiograph showing atlantoaxial instability (arrow).

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  Fig. 2 T2-weighted magnetic resonance midsagittal image showing the odontoid process and atlantoaxial instability (arrow).

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  Fig. 3 Fluoroscopic images obtained during pulsed radiofrequency treatment of the second cervical dorsal root ganglion. A : Anteroposterior view. B : Lateral view. Fluoroscopic images show that the needle (arrows) was located close to the second cervical dorsal root ganglion.

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