Cervicogenic headache: techniques of diagnostic nerve blocks.

Ther term cervicogenic headache (CEH) was introduced by Sjaastad and co-workers in 1983. In 1990 Sjaastad et al. published diagnostic criteria for CEH. In 1998 refinements of these criteria were published, emphasising the use of diagnostic nerve blocks in patients with CEH as important confirmatory evidence. However, the standardisation of diagnostic nerve blocks in the diagnosis of CEH remains to be defined. Herein we present an overview of diagnostic nerve blocks in the cervical area. Suggestions as to their role in the diagnosis of CEH are given.