The headache or neuralgia diagnosis comes before the procedure.
Headache and craniofacial procedures
Craniofacial Procedures
Craniofacial procedures target different superficial nerves, posterior scalp nerves, or deeper autonomic regions. The correct discussion begins with the headache or neuralgia diagnosis and a named target, not with a menu of interchangeable injections.
Quick orientation
What to know first
Superficial nerve block, radiofrequency, occipital targets, and sphenopalatine targets are anatomically different.
Response may inform a plan but does not prove diagnosis, predict duration, or require another procedure.
Choose the guide that matches your question
Explore the specific guides.
Use these links to learn about related symptoms, conditions, and treatments. An individual evaluation is still needed to determine a diagnosis or whether a treatment may be appropriate.
Specific treatment
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block
Understand sphenopalatine ganglion block role, selection, limitations, and risks.
Open this guideSpecific treatment
Occipital Nerve Block
Understand occipital nerve block role, selection, limitations, and risks.
Open this guideSpecific treatment
Auriculotemporal Nerve Block
Understand auriculotemporal nerve block role, selection, limitations, and risks.
Open this guideSpecific treatment
Supraorbital Nerve Block
Understand supraorbital nerve block role, selection, limitations, and risks.
Open this guideSpecific treatment
Infraorbital Nerve Block
Understand infraorbital nerve block role, selection, limitations, and risks.
Open this guideTarget and mechanism
The target defines the procedure
Supraorbital, infraorbital, auriculotemporal, and occipital nerves have different sensory territories. The sphenopalatine ganglion is a deeper target behind the nasal cavity. Each region has distinct neighboring structures, evidence, and risks.
Patient selection
Selection questions
Selection begins with a clinically coherent diagnosis and a specific anatomic target. It also considers competing diagnoses, prior treatment, medication and bleeding risk, infection risk, goals, and whether a procedure is the right next decision.
A clinically coherent diagnosis and named cranial or occipital target
Meaningful functional burden despite appropriate diagnosis-specific care or a focused diagnostic question
A risk review that supports the selected target and procedure
A defined goal and reassessment plan
A staged decision
How we decide what may come next
A diagnosis-first consultation determines whether no procedure, a temporary target-specific block, a separately reviewed radiofrequency option, or referral is appropriate. A helpful response never creates an automatic sequence.
Decision process
Decision sequence
A procedure is an optional treatment discussion, not an automatic step. The response must be reassessed against the usual symptoms and meaningful activities. A limited, absent, or discordant response should reopen the diagnosis and alternatives instead of triggering an automatic series.
Confirm the diagnosis and named target
Review alternatives, evidence quality, and medical risks
Define meaningful functional and symptom goals
Reassess the result before deciding what comes next
Evidence at a glance
Evidence at a glance
Study results depend on diagnosis, selection, comparator, technique, outcome, and follow-up.
Evidence varies substantially by diagnosis, target, technique, comparator, and follow-up.
Occipital block findings cannot be generalized to facial nerve targets or the sphenopalatine ganglion.
Radiofrequency evidence is limited and heterogeneous, especially for rare superficial cranial neuralgias.
Decision quality matters
Evidence, limits, and who it may fit
A listed option or imaging finding does not establish candidacy. Evidence and uncertainty must be matched to the individual question.
Risks and limits
Evidence, risks, and limits
Evidence varies substantially by diagnosis, target, technique, comparator, and follow-up. Occipital block findings cannot be generalized to facial nerve targets or the sphenopalatine ganglion. Radiofrequency evidence is limited and heterogeneous, especially for rare superficial cranial neuralgias.
Bleeding, infection, local pain, bruising, temporary numbness or weakness, nerve injury, vascular injury, local anesthetic toxicity, and target-specific complications require individualized consent.
Medication, volume, target approach, sedation, medication holds, driving, activity, and follow-up are individualized.
A procedure does not replace evaluation of a new severe headache, neurologic deficit, eye emergency, infection, vascular disorder, or another secondary cause.
The visit
What to expect from a consultation
The visit should define the diagnosis, intended target, evidence, alternatives, risks, and the next useful decision. Medication, frequency, sedation, medication holds, driving, and aftercare remain individualized clinician decisions.
Common questions
Craniofacial Procedures FAQ
These answers are educational and cannot determine an individual diagnosis or treatment plan.
Are all craniofacial procedures interchangeable?
No. Superficial trigeminal branches, occipital nerves, and the sphenopalatine region have different anatomy, indications, and risks.
Does a nerve block prove the diagnosis?
No. A response is one clinical data point and cannot exclude overlapping headache or secondary causes.
Does every block lead to radiofrequency treatment?
No. Reassessment may support medical care, rehabilitation, referral, observation, another diagnosis, or no further procedure.
Question before procedure
Start with a diagnosis-first consultation
A consultation can clarify whether a selected procedure, another treatment, continued conservative care, or referral fits the clinical picture.
