An anatomical analysis of the occipital nerve complex: an essential tool for the application of occipital nerve blocks

Abstract Background Occipital nerve blocks are essential in diagnosing and treating headache disorders such as migraine, cervicogenic headache, occipital neuralgia, and cluster headache. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential compression points of the greater occipital nerve (GON), third occipital nerve (TON), and lesser occipital nerve (LON) which are targeted to block in occipital nerve blocks and to develop a method to detect these points easily. Methods To identify potential compression points of the GON, TON, and LON, we dissected 43, 41, and 26 cadavers, respectively. A rigid, transparent tool divided into 1 × 1 cm sections was placed on the external occipital protuberance to measure the determined points. The cadaveric head was viewed from above, vertically, and the coordinates corresponding to each point were noted separately. Results Six, four, and one potential entrapment points were detected for the GON, TON, and LON, respectively. The distances of the point where the GON arose from the lower border of the obliquus capitis inferior muscle and the emerging point of the TON from the C2-C3 vertebrae to the posterior midline were statistically significant in terms of the sides (p = 0.040). Similarly, there was a statistical significance between genders for the distance of the point where the LON arose from the posterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle to the posterior midline (p = 0.002). Conclusions We believe that with the method developed, the GON, TON, and LON compression points can be easily localized and blocked in diagnosing and treating patients experiencing headaches such as migraines, cervicogenic headaches, occipital neuralgia, and cluster headache.