Incidence of neuropathic pain after radiofrequency denervation of the third occipital nerve

Figures & data

Figure 1 The course of the third occipital nerve as it traverses over the C2-3 facet joint.

Note: Used with permission from Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research © 2011.

Figure 2 An anteroposterior radiograph of needle placement for third occipital nerve, C3-4, and C4-5 medial branch radiofrequency ablation.

Figure 3 A lateral radiograph demonstrating the first needle placement for radio-frequency ablation of the third occipital nerve.

Figure 4 A lateral radiograph demonstrating the second (left) and third (right) needle placements for radiofrequency ablation of the third occipital nerve.

Table 1 Yearly numbers of patients with third occipital nerve pain and the number of patients requiring treatment

	2008	2009	2010	Total
Number of procedures	31	25	8	64
Number of patients with postprocedural neuralgia	4	7	1	12
Number (%) of patients who required treatment	3 (75)	6 (86)	1 (100)	10 (83)