Symptoms of occipital neuritis

summary

Occipital neuritis, also known as occipital neuralgia, is caused by the stimulation or compression of the occipital nerve by various pathogenic factors. Clinically, the main symptom is pain in the posterior occipital region. This disease is more common, mostly occurs in adult patients, prognosis is generally good.

Symptoms of occipital neuritis

It is often unilateral, characterized by pain in the area between one side of the occipital part and the upper part of the external ear, which can radiate back to the top and neck. The pain is mostly tingling, burning or paroxysmal jumping pain, sometimes mild or severe, or persistent.

Pain may be aroused or aggravated by head and neck movements, coughing or sneezing. During the examination, there were obvious tenderness points in the superficial part of the greater occipital nerve, that is, the midpoint of the line between the mastoid process and the posterior part of the first cervical spine, which is equivalent to Fengchi point. The skin in the distribution area of the greater occipital nerve may have hypersensitivity or dystrophy.

X-ray examination is often of great reference value in the diagnosis of cervical and occipital lesions. The upper cervical spine and open mouth plain film including skull base can be used to understand the situation of atlanto occipital region. If necessary, CT examination can be used to understand the morphology of foramen magnum and odontoid process.

matters needing attention

According to the history and clinical manifestations of neck trauma or upper respiratory tract infection, there was obvious tenderness at the midpoint of the line between mastoid and occipital trochanter, and it radiated to the top and forehead. The pain point was closed with lidocaine, and the pain could be relieved temporarily. X-ray examination showed no abnormality, and nervous system examination showed no signs of localization.