Pulsed Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Purpose of Review Trigeminal neuralgia is a sudden, unilateral, stabbing pain in the distribution of one or more branches of the fifth cranial nerve, with an overall prevalence ranging between 0.03 and 0.3%. While conservative treatments may offer temporary relief, many patients experience chronic headaches associated with their neuralgia. Invasive treatments are available for patients with intractable neuralgia; however, they may cause permanent tissue damage and often do not provide relief. This article examines pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) ablation (RFA) of the trigeminal nerve as a minimally invasive procedure that offers a promising alternative to invasive procedures for relief of trigeminal neuralgia while minimizing tissue damage. Recent Findings Efficacy of PRF and RFA in treating trigeminal neuralgia has been studied before, but literature lacks large size studies. The results of this retrospective study indicate that PRF can be used as a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia that is refractory to conservative measures.