The following is a summary of “Treatment Delay From Onset of Occipital Neuralgia Symptoms to Treatment with Nerve Decompression Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study,” published in the November 2023 issue of Pain by Hazewinkel et al.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to investigate the timeframe for occipital nerve decompression surgery, compare its cost-effectiveness against non-surgical options, and assess postoperative outcomes.
They assessed 1,112 subjects screened for nerve decompression surgery for occipital neuralgia, with 367 (33%) meeting the inclusion criteria. Gathered data on the timing of occipital neuralgia symptom onset and pain characteristics. Calculated the cost of non-surgical occipital neuralgia treatment from symptom onset to surgery.
The results showed that 226 patients (73%) underwent occipital nerve decompression, with the average time between the onset of occipital neuralgia and surgery being 19 years (7.1–32). The median number of pain days per month decreased by 17 (0–26, 57%) (P <0.001), pain intensity decreased by 4 (2–8, 44%) (P<0.001), and pain duration in hours 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, while the mean cost in the 19 years before surgery was $545,847.75 ($311,968.90-$782,769.82).
Investigators concluded that occipital neuralgia patients experienced an average delay of 19 years before surgery, highlighting the need for earlier intervention.
