Table 2 The International Classification of Headache Disorders 3^rd Edition (ICHD-3) diagnostic criteria for occipital neuralgia [6]

A.

Unilateral or bilateral pain in the distribution(s) of the greater, lesser, and/or third occipital nerves and fulfilling criteria B-D

B.

Pain has at least two of the following three characteristics:

1. Recurring in paroxysmal attacks lasting from a few seconds to minutes

2. Severe in intensity

3. Shooting, stabbing, or sharp in quality

C.

Pain is associated with both of the following:

4. Dysesthesia and/or allodynia apparent during innocuous stimulation of the scalp and/or hair

5. Either or both of the following:

a. Tenderness over the affected nerve branches

b. Trigger points at the emergence of the greater occipital nerve or in the distribution of C2

D.

Pain is eased temporarily by local anesthetic block of the affected nerve(s)

E.

Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis