Efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency on trigeminal ganglion combined with drug therapy in the treatment of patients with trigeminal neuralgia of acute facial herpes zoster

Abstract

Objective To investigate the efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency on trigeminal ganglion combined with drug therapy in the treatment of patients with trigeminal neuralgia of facial herpes zoster during acute phase. Methods Thirty patients with trigeminal neuralgia of acute facial herpes zoster, aged 35-65 years, were randomly divided into two groups. The patients in group A were received intravenous acyclovir, 0.5 g each time, 2 times per day for 10 d; oral pregabalin capsules, 150 mg each time, 2 times per day for 1 month; oral oxycodone and acetaminophen tablets, one tablet each time, 2 times per day for 1 month. The patients in group B were received pulsed radiofrequency on trigeminal ganglion in addition to the same drug therapy. VAS was recorded at one day before the treatment, and one day, two and four weeks after the treatment. The effects were evaluated at one day, two and four weeks after the treatment. Results VAS was significantly lower in both groups after the treatment (P<0.05). Compared with group A, VAS was significantly even decreased than that in group B (P<0.05). There were 2 cases (13.3%), 5 cases (33.3%), 8 cases (53.3%) with VAS≤3 in group A at one day, two and four weeks after the treatment respectively, while 9 cases (60.0%), 11 cases (73.3%), 13 cases (86.7%) in group B respectively. The excellent effect was higher in group B than that in group A (66.7% vs 26.7%), (80.0% vs 60.0%), (93.3% vs 73.3%) at one day, two and four weeks after the treatment respectively. Conclusion Pulsed radiofrequency on trigeminal ganglion combined with drug therapy can significantly relieve the pain in patients with trigeminal neuralgia of acute facial herpes zoster, and recommend to use it early. Key words: Trigeminal ganglia; Pulsed radiofrequency treatment; Neuralgia, herpetic; Face