Treatment Delay From Onset of Occipital Neuralgia Symptoms to Treatment with Nerve Decompression Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to a) evaluate the time between onset of occipital neuralgia symptoms and nerve decompression surgery, b) perform a cost comparison analysis between surgical and non-surgical treatment of occipital neuralgia and c) report postoperative results of nerve decompression for occipital neuralgia. METHODS: 1,112 subjects who underwent screening for nerve decompression surgery were evaluated for occipital neuralgia. 367 (33%) patients met the inclusion criteria. Timing of occipital neuralgia symptom onset and pain characteristics were prospectively collected. Cost associated with the non-surgical treatment of occipital neuralgia was calculated for the period between onset of symptoms and surgery. RESULTS: 226 (73%) patients underwent occipital nerve decompression. The average time between onset of occipital neuralgia and surgery was 19 years (7.1-32). Postoperatively, the median number of pain days per month decreased by 17 (0-26, 57%) (p < 0.001), the median pain intensity decreased by 4 (2-8, 44%) (p < 0.001), and median pain duration in hours was reduced by 12 (2-23, 50%) (p < 0.001). The annual mean cost of non-surgical occipital neuralgia treatment was $28,728.82 ($16,419.42-$41,198.41) per patient. The mean cost during the 19-year timeframe prior to surgery was $545,847.75($311,968.90-$782,769.82). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that patients suffer from occipital neuralgia for an average of 19 years prior to undergoing surgery. Nerve decompression reduces symptom severity significantly and should be considered earlier in the treatment course of occipital neuralgia that is refractory to conservative treatment to prevent patient morbidity and decrease direct and indirect healthcare costs. IRB REGISTRATION NUMBER & NAME Weill Cornell Medicine 23-04025985, Prospective Cohort Study Investigating Long- Term Outcomes After Headache Surgery.The Massachusetts General Hospital 2012P001527, Correlation of pre-operative pain self-efficacy and post-operative migraine-specific symptoms and disability.