New, minimally invasive treatment to effectively tackle migraine in children

New treatment to fight migraine in children is in process, according to a research.

Migraines have headache of varying intensity and they often carry with them nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

According to the new treatment, a small flexible catheter is inserted into nostrils of the patient and a local anesthetic is administered to block sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) which is the bundle of nerves associated with migraines and are located at the back of the nose.

The short time disabling of SPG can disturb and reset the headache circuit, also putting a break on the cycle of severe headaches, and reducing the need for medicines and provide relief from the pain immediately, lasting for months, told researchers.

"This treatment, performed in an outpatient setting by an interventional radiologist, can safely relieve a child`s migraine quickly," said Robin Kaye from Phoenix Children`s Hospital in Arizona, US. 

"By reducing the need for medications that come with serious side effects or intravenous therapies that may require hospital stays, children don`t have to miss as much school," Kaye added.

Well, the researchers have also noted that SPG blocks are not frontline treatment. Only if the child has been diagnosed with a severe migraine that cannot be treated with frontline treatment, then this therapy is applicable.

The findings were presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology`s 2017 Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, D.C.

310 treatments in 200 patients in age group of 7-18 in the US were considered for the study.

The results revealed that the average headache scores reduced more than two points on a 10-point scale.

"While it isn`t a cure for migraines, this treatment has the potential to really improve the quality of life for many children," Kaye added.