A Retrospective Study of Ultrasound-Guided C2 Transverse Process Injection with Myofascial Release for Cervicogenic Headache.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided myofascial hydrodissection between the obliquus capitis inferior and semispinalis capitis muscles combined with C2 transverse process injection in patients with cervicogenic headache (CGH).

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 80 patients with CGH who received four sessions of ultrasound-guided treatment from January to December 2024. Each session consisted of hydrodissection of the obliquus capitis inferior and semispinalis capitis muscles along with C2 transverse process injections of lidocaine and corticosteroids. Pain intensity, disability, and headache impact were assessed using the numeric rating scale (NRS), neck disability index (NDI), and headache impact test-6 (HIT-6) at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months.

RESULTS

All patients completed the treatment without serious complications. Notable and consistent reductions in NRS, NDI, and HIT-6 scores were observed at all follow-up points (P < 0.05). Minor transient adverse events, including dizziness and mild discomfort, resolved spontaneously.

CONCLUSION

This retrospective study suggests that ultrasound-guided myofascial hydrodissection combined with C2 transverse process injection may provide potentially meaningful pain relief and functional improvement in patients with CGH. However, given the uncontrolled retrospective design, the findings should be interpreted with caution and require confirmation in prospective controlled trials.