Expert panel's guideline on cervicogenic headache: The Chinese Association for the Study of Pain recommendation

World J Clin Cases. 2021 Mar 26;9(9):2027-2036. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i9.2027.

Authors

Hong Xiao¹, Bao-Gan Peng², Ke Ma³, Dong Huang⁴, Xian-Guo Liu⁵, Yan Lv⁶, Qing Liu⁷, Li-Juan Lu⁸, Jin-Feng Liu⁹, Yi-Mei Li¹⁰, Tao Song¹¹, Wei Tao¹², Wen Shen¹³, Xiao-Qiu Yang¹⁴, Lin Wang¹⁵, Xiao-Mei Zhang¹⁶, Zhi-Gang Zhuang¹⁷, Hui Liu¹⁸, Yan-Qing Liu¹⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Algology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
² Department of Orthopedics, The Third Medical Center, General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100039, China.
³ Department of Algology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
⁴ Department of Algology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China.
⁵ Department of Physiology and Pain Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China.
⁶ Department of Algology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China.
⁷ Department of Algology, The Affiliated T.C.M Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China.
⁸ Department of Algology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
⁹ Department of Algology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China.
¹⁰ Department of Algology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang, China.
¹¹ Department of Algology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China.
¹² Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong Province, China.
¹³ Department of Algology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu Province, China.
¹⁴ Department of Algology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
¹⁵ Department of Algology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China.
¹⁶ Department of Algology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan Province, China.
¹⁷ Department of Algology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450014, Henan Province, China.
¹⁸ Department of Algology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. 18980601547@qq.com.
¹⁹ Department of Algology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China.

Abstract

Cervicogenic headache (CEH) has been recognized as a unique category of headache that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. In China, CEH patients are managed by many different specialties, and the treatment plans remain controversial. Therefore, there is a great need for comprehensive evidence-based Chinese experts' recommendations for the management of CEH. The Chinese Association for the Study of Pain asked an expert panel to develop recommendations for a series of questions that are essential for daily clinical management of patients with CEH. A group of multidisciplinary Chinese Association for the Study of Pain experts identified the clinically relevant topics in CEH. A systematic review of the literature was performed, and evidence supporting the benefits and harms for the management of CEH was summarized. Twenty-four recommendations were finally developed through expert consensus voting for evidence quality and recommendation strength. We hope this guideline provides direction for clinicians and patients making treatment decisions for the management of CEH.

Keywords: Cervicogenic headache; Chinese Association for the Study of Pain; Chronic pain; Expert panel’s guideline; Expert recommendation.

Publication types

Review