Can a brain mri help diagnose occipital neuralgia?

Diagnosis of occipital neuralgia is usually done through a physical and neurological exam, along with diagnostic imaging (MRI). A nerve block (in which a local anesthetic and steroid drug are injected into the area around the nerve) may also help with diagnosis.

A brain MRI would not provide appropriate visualization or resolution to evaluate the Greater or Lessor Occipital Nerves, but is useful in excluding other sources of pathology. A clinical examination remains the best way to make the diagnosis, and a nerve block would potentially relieve symptomatology.