Repeated CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation for recurrent trigeminal neuralgia

摘要

Aims: To investigate the long-term outcomes of repeated percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PRT) for recurrent trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients. Methods: Between 2002 and 2012, 33 patients with recurrent TN following an initial PRT procedure were retrospectively studied and underwent 43 repeated PRT procedures. Results: The mean length of follow-up after repeated PRT was 34 months. Pain relief was immediate in 30 patients (90.9), and no pain relief occurred in 3 patients (9.1) following a second PRT procedure. The percentage of patients who remained in an 'excellent' and 'good' pain relief condition (pain intensity ≤BIN grade III) after the second PRT procedure was 75 at 1 year, 68 at 2 years and 68 at 5 years, and 22 of these patients (54.5) remained satisfied with their pain relief during the follow-up period. Nine patients underwent PRT three times and 1 patient four times. The total number of patients who benefited from repeated PRT was 28 (84.8). Postprocedure complications including masseter weakness were present in 3 patients and limited mouth opening affected 1 patient. No mortalities were observed during or after repeated PRT procedures. Conclusion: Repeated PRT provides long-term pain relief benefits to patients with recurrent TN and should be considered as an alternative treatment for recurrent TN.