Rogelio Domínguez-Moreno, Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Dinamarca; Dinamarca; 2Clínica de Cefaleas de Difícil Tratamiento, Departamento de Neurología y Psiquiatría, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México;
Alejandro Marfil, Clínica de Dolor de Cabeza, Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario “Dr. José E. González”, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
Luis R. Partida-Medina, Practica privada, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Miguel Osorno-Guerra, Práctica privada, Monterrey Nuevo León, México
Background: In developed countries, most of the neurologists use pericranial nerve blocks to treat headache patients, nevertheless, the knowledge and use patterns of this technique in developing countries are unknown. Objective: Evaluate the knowledge and use patterns of pericranial nerve blocks in headache treatment by Mexican neurologists. Material and methods: We did a cross-sectional study, 90 Mexican neurologists completed a 26-question survey including data about sociodemographics, knowledge and patterns of use of pericranial nerve blocks. All statistical analyses were performed with R (version 4.2.0). Results: The mean age was 43.2 ± 9.9 years, 55 (61.1 %) were men. In terms of knowledge, migraine was correctly identified by 74 participants (82.2 %), while cluster headache by 65 participants (72.2 %) as indications for pericranial nerve blocks. Regarding the use patterns of pericranial nerve blocks, 87 (96.7 %) of the neurologists had heard about the technique, but only 12(13.3 %) use it in their clinical practice. In terms of education, 19 (21.1 %) received training during the residency and 27 (30 %) during the post-residency period. Conclusions: The knowledge and use of pericranial nerve blocks for the treatment of headaches in Mexico is low. Stakeholders should develop strategies to improve the field of headache disorders.
Keywords: Disability. Migraine. Treatment.