Department of Algology, Malatya Training and Research Hospital, Malatya, Türkiye.
Department of Algology, Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir, Türkiye.
Agri. 2023 Apr;35(2):96-102. doi: 10.14744/agri.2022.93609.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a paroxysmal and shock-like pain in the trigeminal nerve area. Various treatment options have been used for trigeminal neuralgia such as medical treatment, interventional procedures, and surgical operations. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a minimally invasive percutaneous technique which seems to be safer and easier to perform. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the analgesic effect, duration of efficacy, and side effects of PRF procedures in the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve.
The data of the patients with trigeminal neuralgia who were followed up in our hospital's algology clinic from 2016 to 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients aged between 18 and 70 who did not respond to medical treatment or could not use medication due to side effects were treated with PRF procedure for peripheral branches of trigeminal nerve that was selected for this study. Demographic profile, clinical presentation, pain intensity, duration of efficacy, and complications were evaluated from their files.
Twenty-one patients who underwent ultrasonography guided PRF procedures were included the study. Mean visual analog scale value of the patients was found to have decreased from 9.25±0.63 to 1.55±0.88 at the end of the 1st month (p<0.001). The painless period for the patients lasted up to 12 (9-21) months and no complications occurred.
PRF procedure seems to be an effective and safe method in patients who respond to block of the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve.
三叉神经痛是一种阵发性、电击样疼痛，位于三叉神经区域。三叉神经痛有多种治疗选择，包括药物治疗、介入治疗和手术治疗。脉冲射频（PRF）是一种微创经皮技术，似乎更安全、更容易操作。本回顾性研究旨在评估 PRF 治疗三叉神经周围分支的镇痛效果、疗效持续时间和副作用。
回顾性分析 2016 年至 2018 年在我院疼痛科门诊随访的三叉神经痛患者的资料。对因药物治疗无效或因副作用不能使用药物的 18-70 岁患者，采用超声引导下的 PRF 治疗三叉神经周围分支。从病历中评估患者的人口统计学特征、临床表现、疼痛强度、疗效持续时间和并发症。
本研究纳入了 21 例接受超声引导 PRF 治疗的患者。患者的平均视觉模拟评分（VAS）值从治疗前的 9.25±0.63 降至治疗后 1 个月的 1.55±0.88（p<0.001）。患者的无痛期最长可达 12 个月（9-21 个月），无并发症发生。
对于对三叉神经周围分支阻滞有反应的患者，PRF 治疗似乎是一种有效且安全的方法。
