Treating migraines with surgery

Most doctors say there is no cure for migraines. But some patients turn to surgery or injections for relief. Heres how three procedures work:

NERVE DECOMPRESSION SURGERY

This technique uses Botox to pinpoint trigger sites at the frontal, temporal and occipital areas of the head and neck. It then surgically removes tissue compressing those sites.

BOTOX INJECTIONS
These FDA-approved treatments block nerve signals in the forehead, temples and neck that cause muscles to contract. Doctors use up to 31 shots, and the effects last about three months.

IMPLANTED NEUROSTIMULATOR DEVICES

These are implanted under the skin to deliver electrical impulses at the forehead that block pain. They are attached by an implanted wire to a battery pack in the buttocks or chest wall.

SOURCE: Dallas Morning News research

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