Efficacy and safety of combined thermocoagulation radiofrequency and pulse radiofrequency in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) combined with pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) of the Gasserian ganglion in patients with V2/V3 trigeminal neuralgia (TN).
 Methods: We evaluated 27 patients with V2/3 TN who had undergone combined RFT and PRF of the Gasserian ganglion. Patients were treated with PRF (42°C, 45 V, 20 ms, 120 s), RFT (65°C, 60 s), RFT (70°C, 60 s), and PRF (42°C, 45 V, 20 ms, 120 s), consecutively. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Barrow Neurological Institute Pain Intensity Scale (BNI) scores were evaluated before and after (1st month, 6th month, and 12th month) the procedure. A BNI score of 1-3 was considered as an effective treatment, while a BNI score of 4 or 5 indicated unsuccessful treatment.
 Results: VAS scores were significantly lower than the baseline values in all post-treatment evaluation visits (1st month, 6th month, 12th month) during the 12-month follow-up period (p0.05).
 Conclusion: Combined RFT and PRF to the Gasserian ganglion is a safe and effective therapeutic approach in the treatment of TN. However, its efficacy partially decreases after one year.