Use of lidocaine in headache due to occipital neuralgia

Abstract

To analyze the use of lidocaine in occipital neuralgia headache.Articles were selected from the National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS), and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO).Intravenous lidocaine infusions are considered for refractory chronic migraine. Topical lidocaine is used for various pains, safe and effective for conditions like post-herpetic neuralgia. Dosing needs careful monitoring to avoid side effects. Lidocaine at 10% can prolong efficacy in major occipital nerve blocks. Lidocaine patches might not be effective for acute or post-operative headaches. Multimodal treatments, including lidocaine infusions, are used for migraines, but long-term evidence is limited. Topical lidocaine is effective for post-herpetic neuralgia, while peripheral nerve blocks are options for intractable head or face pain. Studies reveal the complexity of lidocaine use in pain management, with varied approaches including intravenous, topical formulations, and specific nerve blocks. Each method has pros and cons, leading to diverse observed effectiveness. These results emphasize the ongoing need for research to understand lidocaine's mechanisms and its optimal application in occipital neuralgia headache management, highlighting the importance of personalized treatment based on the patient's specific condition.