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Sphenopalatine ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment in 30 patients suffering from chronic face and head pain.

Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain · 2005 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 3555

Among 30 patients followed 4 to 52 months after sphenopalatine ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment, 14% reported no pain relief, 21% complete pain relief, and 65% mild to moderate pain relief. Sixty-five percent reported mild to moderate reduction in ora…

Study snapshot

PublicationPain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain · 2005
Study typecohort
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of sphenopalatine ganglion pulsed radiofrequency (SPG-PRF) treatment in patients suffering from chronic head and face pain. Thirty patients were observed from 4 to 52 months after PRF treatment. The primary efficacy measures were the reduction in oral medication use, including opioids, time-to-next-treatment modality for presenting symptoms, duration of pain relief, and the presence of residual symptoms. Secondary objectives included the evaluation of adverse effects and complications. All data were derived from patient charts, phone conversations, and clinical follow-up visits. Fourteen percent of respondents reported no pain relief, 21% had complete pain relief, and 65% of the patients reported mild to moderate pain relief from SPG-PRF treatment. Sixty-five percent of the respondents reported mild to moderate reduction in oral opioids. None of the patients developed significant infection, bleeding, hematoma formation, dysesthesia, or numbness of palate, maxilla, or posterior pharynx. A large-scale study of SPG-PRF for the treatment of face and head pain has not been previously reported. Our results suggest that a prospective, randomized, controlled trial study to confirm efficacy and safety of this novel treatment for chronic head and face pain is justified.

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 typecohort
Effect directionbenefit
Populationpatients with chronic head and face pain
Sample size30
Exposurefollow-up 4 to 52 months after PRF treatment
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Among 30 patients followed 4 to 52 months after sphenopalatine ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment, 14% reported no pain relief, 21% complete pain relief, and 65% mild to moderate pain relief. Sixty-five percent reported mild to moderate reduction in oral opioids, and no significant complications (infection, bleeding, hematoma, dysesthesia, or numbness) were reported.

Outcomes measured

  • pain relief (none/complete/mild-moderate)
  • reduction in oral medication use (including opioids)
  • time-to-next-treatment modality
  • duration of pain relief
  • residual symptoms
  • adverse effects/complications (infection, bleeding, hematoma, dysesthesia, numbness)

Limitations

  • observational follow-up based on charts/phone/follow-up visits (no randomized control described)
  • frequency/SAR and detailed exposure parameters not reported
  • follow-up duration varied (4 to 52 months)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "medical pulsed radiofrequency treatment (sphenopalatine ganglion PRF)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "follow-up 4 to 52 months after PRF treatment"
  },
  "population": "patients with chronic head and face pain",
  "sample_size": 30,
  "outcomes": [
    "pain relief (none/complete/mild-moderate)",
    "reduction in oral medication use (including opioids)",
    "time-to-next-treatment modality",
    "duration of pain relief",
    "residual symptoms",
    "adverse effects/complications (infection, bleeding, hematoma, dysesthesia, numbness)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Among 30 patients followed 4 to 52 months after sphenopalatine ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment, 14% reported no pain relief, 21% complete pain relief, and 65% mild to moderate pain relief. Sixty-five percent reported mild to moderate reduction in oral opioids, and no significant complications (infection, bleeding, hematoma, dysesthesia, or numbness) were reported.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "observational follow-up based on charts/phone/follow-up visits (no randomized control described)",
    "frequency/SAR and detailed exposure parameters not reported",
    "follow-up duration varied (4 to 52 months)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "sphenopalatine ganglion",
    "pulsed radiofrequency",
    "chronic pain",
    "head pain",
    "face pain",
    "opioid reduction",
    "adverse effects"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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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: 10.1111/j.1533-2500.2005.05314.x
PubMed: 17147584

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