Volume : VII, Issue : V, May - 2018

Management of Trigeminal Neuralgia: Efficacy of radiofrequency ablation

Dr. G. K. Kumar

Abstract :

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a neuropathic pain condition affecting the face. It has a significant impact on the quality of life and physical function of patients. Evidence suggests that the likely etiology is vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve leading to focal demyelination and aberrant neural discharge. Secondary causes such as multiple sclerosis or ain tumors can also produce symptomatic TN. Treatment must be individualized to each patient. Carbamazepine remains the drug of choice in the first–line treatment of TN. Minimally invasive interventional pain therapies and surgery are possible options when drug therapy fails. Younger patients may benefit from microvascular decompression. Elderly patients with poor surgical risk may be more suitable for percutaneous trigeminal nerve rhizolysis. The technique of radiofrequency rhizolysis of the trigeminal nerve is described in detail in this review.

 

Method

15 patients of TN patients who were on Pharmacological management selected for the study. All the 15 patients were subjected for Radiofrequncy ablation (RFA)of Trigeminal Ganglion under fluroscopicguidance.Clinical effectiveness and complications were noted. The patients were followed up to 12 months of duration.

 

Conclusion

The RFA is a effective method for the pain relief in 14 patients ( 93%) with mean duration of 7.5 months.The criteria of pain relief is defined as more the 50% of pain relief from the pre procedure pain score – VAS.

Article: Download PDF    DOI : https://www.doi.org/10.36106/paripex  

Cite This Article:

Dr.G.K.Kumar, Management of Trigeminal Neuralgia: Efficacy of radiofrequency ablation, PARIPEX‾INDIAN JOURNAL OF RESEARCH : Volume-7 | Issue-5 | May-2018

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