Prog Neurol Surg. 2011;24:126-32. Epub 2011 Mar 21.
Peripheral nerve stimulation in chronic cluster headache.
Magis D, Schoenen J.
SourceHeadache Research Unit, University Department of Neurology, CHR Citadelle, Liège, Belgium.

Abstract
Cluster headache is well known as one of the most painful primary neurovascular headache. Since 1% of chronic cluster headache patients become refractory to all existing pharmacological treatments, various invasive and sometimes mutilating procedures have been tempted in the last decades. Recently, neurostimulation methods have raised new hope for drug-resistant chronic cluster headache patients. The main focus of this chapter is on stimulation of the great occipital nerve, which has been the best evaluated peripheral nerve stimulation technique in drug-resistant chronic cluster headache, providing the most convincing results so far. Other peripheral nerve stimulation approaches used for this indication are also reviewed in detail. Although available studies are limited to a relatively small number of patients and placebo-controlled trials are lacking, existent clinical data suggest that occipital nerve stimulation should nonetheless be recommended for intractable chronic cluster headache patients before more invasive deep brain stimulation surgery. More studies are needed to evaluate the usefulness of supraorbital nerve stimulation and of vagus nerve stimulation in management of cluster headaches.

Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PMID:21422783[PubMed]

Bob, is this the same procedure being experimented with at Johns Hopkins? Or is it completely different and there are different ways to provide ONS? lance

Don't know; beyond my specialty...

These were 2 stims talked about for me in KY, but we were turned down by insurnace companies for some reason. The surgeons were trained and ready to do it though. Maybe only certain places (or a place) can get it done. These stims would not be stimulating the ON but completely different nerves, or maybe the ON in addition to these other nerves. <?> Beyond my speciality too.

I4B