Aetiologies of iatrogenic occipital nerve injury and outcomes following treatment with nerve decompression surgery.

Iatrogenic occipital nerve injuries can be caused by various surgical interventions, including craniotomies, cervical spine interventions, and scalp tumor resections. The associated pain can be severe and chronic.

Iatrogenic occipital neuralgia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of post-operative headaches and can be treated with nerve decompression surgery or neuroma excision with reconstruction of the free nerve end.