Onabotulinumtoxina (craniotomy scar combined with cranial suture line injections) for persistent post craniotomy headache: Case series with long-term follow-up

Abstract

Background There is no defined preventive treatment protocol for persistent post-craniotomy headache. In several small case series and individual case reports onabotulinumtoxinA injected into the craniotomy scar has shown possible efficacy. What is lacking is long term follow-up and if focusing on the cranial suture lines along with the craniotomy scar can enhance improvement and provide more sustained benefit. Methods Retrospective chart review with case series. Results Four patients (three women, one man) with ICHD-3 defined persistent post craniotomy headache were treated using a novel onabotulinumtoxinA injection protocol. All the patients presented with continuous head pain of moderate to severe intensity. All had severe allodynia on the side of their craniotomy. All had significant reduction in quality of life. Our application of onabotulinumtoxinA involved injection into both the surgical scar and the transected/irritated cranial suture lines noted on neuroimaging and physical examination. With treatment all patients demonstrated significant benefit including a reduction in daily pain intensity (75%-100%), developing periods of pain freedom (2–7 days per week) and having a dramatic improvement in quality of life (close to 100% in all). The benefit was sustained for at least five years of follow-up. Conclusion From our case series it appears that injection not only along the painful craniotomy scar but into the involved cranial suture lines provides positive efficacy and sustained improvement in patients with persistent post craniotomy headache.