Prevalence of occipital neuralgia at a community hospital-based headache clinic

Background Occipital neuralgia (ON) is a paroxysmal disorder involving lancinating pain that originates in the neck or skull base with superior radiation toward the apex. ON more commonly occurs in patients with other coexisting headache disorders. There are limited data regarding the prevalence of ON. This study aims to demonstrate the prevalence of ON in a community hospital-based headache clinic. Methods This IRB-approved retrospective study was conducted at the Cambridge Health Alliance Headache Clinic. Medical records of patients presenting with headache as a chief complaint were reviewed from January 2010 to September 2015. Results Of 800 study patients, 81% were females (n = 648). A total of 195 patients were diagnosed with ON, and 146 patients had a positive occipital Tinel sign on examination. Isolated ON was present in 15.38% (n = 30) of patients. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the odds of ON were higher in patients with chronic migraine vs episodic migraine (adjusted odds ratio = 2.190 [95% confidence interval: 1.364–3.515]), even when adjusted for significant covariates. Conclusion ON occurred in nearly 25% of patients presenting with a chief complaint of headache to a community hospital-based headache clinic. Among patients with ON, 15% presented with ON as the chief complaint without another coexisting headache disorder. As such, up to 85% of ON cases occurred in patients having an additional headache type. Approximately 75% of patients with ON had a positive occipital Tinel sign on examination. Elevated body mass index, higher age at presentation, and chronic migraine increased the odds of having ON. Undiagnosed or inadequate treatment of ON can increase the frequency and intensity of other comorbid headache disorders.