title: Comparison of High-voltage- with Standard-voltage Pulsed Radiofrequency of Gasserian Ganglion in the Treatment of Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia.
abstract: Although pulsed radiofrequency treatment (PRFT) has been used to treat trigeminal neuralgia (TN) safely, satisfactory improvement is lacking. Recently, much attention has been paid to the PRFT dose and intra-operative parameters. It has been reported that high-voltage PRFT could significantly reduce discogenic pain. However, there is no study investigating the effects of high-voltage PRFT on TN. The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-voltage PRFT in comparison with standard-voltage PRFT for idiopathic TN. Sixty severe TN patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups treated with CT-guided standard- or high-voltage-pulsed radiofrequency (RF) of Gasserian ganglion, respectively, between January 2012 and July 2012. Numeric Rating Scales (NRS), carbamazepine dose, and side effects were evaluated at day 1, weeks 1 and 2, months 1, 3, and 6, and 1 year postoperative. There were 27 patients in the standard-voltage group and 26 patients in the high-voltage group who completed the 1-year follow-up study. The effective rates in the standard-voltage and high-voltage PRFT groups were 41% and 69%, respectively, at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperative (P = 0.037). The effective rate in the standard-voltage group decreased to 19% at 1-year postoperative, while in the high-voltage group remained at 69% (P = 0.000). No significant side effects were detected in both groups. In conclusion, CT-guided high-voltage PRFT is an effective and safe interventional therapeutic choice for idiopathic TN patients.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors: Luo
authors: L
authors: Fang
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors: Wang
authors: W
authors: Tao
authors: Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors: Lu
authors: L
authors: Jingjing
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors: Ji
authors: J
authors: Nan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000473:pathology*; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Gasserian ganglion; pulsed radiofrequency; treatment; trigeminal neuralgia