Can Proximity of the Occipital Artery to the Greater Occipital Nerve Act as a Cause of Idiopathic Greater Occipital Neuralgia? An Anatomical and Histological Evaluation of the Artery-Nerve Relationship

Abstract

Although the present study did not provide direct evidence that the occipital artery contributes to occipital neuralgia at the point of contact with the greater occipital nerve, the possibility still cannot be precluded, because the occipital artery may be palpable in areas corresponding to tenderness of the greater occipital nerve. Further studies, including clinical cases, are needed to clarify this issue.