Hazewinkel MH, Knoedler L, Mathew PG, Remy K, Austen WG, Gfrerer L. Surgical Management of Headache Disorders - A Systematic Review of the Literature.
Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2024;
24:191-202. [PMID:
38833038 DOI:
10.1007/s11910-024-01342-1]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This review article critically evaluates the latest advances in the surgical treatment of headache disorders.
RECENT FINDINGS
Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of innovative screening tools, such as doppler ultrasound, pain drawings, magnetic resonance neurography, and nerve blocks to help identify candidates for surgery. Machine learning has emerged as a powerful tool to predict surgical outcomes. In addition, advances in surgical techniques, including minimally invasive incisions, fat injections, and novel strategies to treat injured nerves (neuromas) have demonstrated promising results. Lastly, improved patient-reported outcome measures are evolving to provide a framework for comparison of conservative and invasive treatment outcomes. Despite these developments, challenges persist, particularly related to appropriate patient selection, insurance coverage, delays in diagnosis and surgical treatment, and the absence of standardized measures to assess and compare treatment impact. Collaboration between medical/procedural and surgical specialties is required to overcome these obstacles.
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