What Types of Headaches Do Neurosurgeons Treat?
While many headaches are related to dehydration, low blood sugar, or muscle tension, some headaches require a neurological referral with a neurosurgeon for diagnosis, treatment, or both. The Metropolitan Neurosurgery Group specializes in the care of:
- Occipital neuralgia
- Eagle syndrome
- Cervicogenic headache
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Intracranial conditions
- Congenital deformities, including Chiari malformation
- Cervical spine instability
These conditions can have complex presentations with unique symptoms not present in more common headache types.
When Should I See a Neurosurgeon for Headaches?
You should consider scheduling a visit at The Metropolitan Neurosurgery Group if you experience any of the following headache symptoms:
- Severe facial or jaw pain
- Headache pain that worsens with head or jaw movements
- Headaches accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or fainting
- Nerve pain in the face, neck, or arms
- Shock-like pain in the neck, skull, or face
Your provider performs a thorough evaluation of all of your symptoms to determine if additional testing or imaging is needed to determine your diagnosis.
How Do Neurosurgeons Diagnose Headaches?
Neurosurgeons have advanced training in the diagnosis of complex headaches and utilize a variety of screening tools to diagnose the cause of your headaches. During your consultation, your provider asks about your symptoms, when they occur, and if you’ve experienced any head or neck trauma.
They may refer you for X-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan or may perform neurological testing, like a nerve conduction velocity test. Once you complete the necessary evaluation and testing, your provider determines your diagnosis and which treatment options are available for you.
What Treatments are Available for Headaches?
The Metropolitan Neurosurgery Group has extensive experience in the treatment of headaches using the following procedures:
- Occipital ganglion neurectomy
- C1-C2 stabilizations
- Removal of calcified stylohyoid ligaments in Eagle syndrome
- Foraminotomy of the C3 or C4 nerve roots
- Sectioning of the C2 nerve for occipital neuralgia
- Occipitocervical fusion stabilization for cervical instability
- Cervical fusion for headaches due to unstable vertebrae
Depending on the cause of your headaches and specific symptoms, your provider works with you to determine which procedure is most effective at relieving your headaches long-term.
To find out how The Metropolitan Neurosurgery Group can help you with your headaches, call today.
