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Sphenopalatine ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment in patients suffering from chronic face and head pain.

Brazilian journal of anesthesiology (Elsevier) · 2016 · Benefit · Very low evidence

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BenefitVery low evidencePaper 2998

In this retrospective evaluation of sphenopalatine ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment, 35% of patients had complete pain relief, 42% had mild to moderate pain relief, and 23% did not achieve pain relief.

Study snapshot

PublicationBrazilian journal of anesthesiology (Elsevier) · 2016
Study typeother
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

PURPOSE: There are various facial pain syndromes including trigeminal neuralgia, trigeminal neuropathic pain and atypical facial pain syndromes. Effectiveness of the pulsed radiofrequency in managing various pain syndromes has been clearly demonstrated. There are a limited number of studies on the pulsed radiofrequency treatment for sphenopalatine ganglion in patients suffering from face and head pain. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the satisfaction of pulsed radiofrequency treatment at our patients retrospectively. METHODS: Infrazygomatic approach was used for the pulsed radiofrequency of the sphenopalatine ganglion under fluoroscopic guidance. After the tip of the needle reached the target point, 0.25-0.5 ms pulse width was applied for sensory stimulation at frequencies from 50 Hz to 1 V. Paraesthesias were exposed at the roof of the nose at 0.5-0.7 V. To rule out trigeminal contact that led to rhythmic mandibular contraction, motor stimulation at a frequency of 2 Hz was applied. Then, four cycles of pulsed radiofrequency lesioning were performed for 120 s at a temperature of 42°C. RESULTS: Pain relief could not be achieved in 23% of the patients (unacceptable), whereas pain was completely relieved in 35% of the patients (excellent) and mild to moderate pain relief could be achieved in 42% of the patients (good) through sphenopalatine ganglion-pulsed radiofrequency treatment. CONCLUSION: Pulsed radiofrequency of the sphenopalatine ganglion is effective in treating the patients suffering from intractable chronic facial and head pain as shown by our findings. There is a need for prospective, randomized, controlled trials in order to confirm the efficacy and safety of this new treatment modality in chronic head and face pain.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother
Effect directionbenefit
PopulationPatients suffering from chronic face and head pain (e.g., trigeminal neuralgia/neuropathic pain/atypical facial pain syndromes)
Sample sizeNot supplied
Exposurefour cycles of 120 s
Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In this retrospective evaluation of sphenopalatine ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment, 35% of patients had complete pain relief, 42% had mild to moderate pain relief, and 23% did not achieve pain relief.

Outcomes measured

  • Pain relief
  • Patient satisfaction (retrospective evaluation)

Limitations

  • Retrospective design
  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Authors note need for prospective, randomized, controlled trials to confirm efficacy and safety
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "pulsed radiofrequency (sphenopalatine ganglion treatment)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "four cycles of 120 s"
  },
  "population": "Patients suffering from chronic face and head pain (e.g., trigeminal neuralgia/neuropathic pain/atypical facial pain syndromes)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Pain relief",
    "Patient satisfaction (retrospective evaluation)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In this retrospective evaluation of sphenopalatine ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment, 35% of patients had complete pain relief, 42% had mild to moderate pain relief, and 23% did not achieve pain relief.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Retrospective design",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Authors note need for prospective, randomized, controlled trials to confirm efficacy and safety"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "sphenopalatine ganglion",
    "pulsed radiofrequency",
    "chronic facial pain",
    "head pain",
    "trigeminal neuralgia",
    "fluoroscopic guidance",
    "pain relief"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.bjane.2014.06.001
PubMed: 26768930

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