A Retrospective Review of the Outcomes and Utility of Percutaneous Radiofrequency Rhizotomy for Trigeminal Neuralgia Using Anatomic Landmark Guidance in Asleep Patients.

BACKGROUND

Radiofrequency rhizotomy is a percutaneous procedure for trigeminal neuralgia frequently performed with intermittent awakening, although the utility and accuracy of this procedure in continuously sedated patients have not yet been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate pain relief in patients with trigeminal neuralgia undergoing radiofrequency rhizotomy under continuous sedation.

METHODS

Patients from 2012 to 2017 who underwent radiofrequency rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia were evaluated retrospectively. Barrow Neurological Institute Pain Intensity scores were assigned to determine relapse at 1 mo, 1 yr, 3 yr, and 5 yr. Descriptive relapse rates for patients with multiple sclerosis and those undergoing repeat procedures are also reported.

RESULTS

A total of 90.8% of procedures reported Barrow Neurological Institute I-III score at 1 mo (P < .0001), 66.3% at 1 yr (P = .0012), and 71.1% at 3 yr (P = .0003). Duration to relapse was 3.0 and 6.0 at 1 and 3 yr, respectively. Procedures in patients with multiple sclerosis reported 100% relief at 1 mo and 87.5% relief at 1 yr (P = .0099). The presence of numbness and postoperative medication changes were not associated with pain relief (P = .0063, P = .1338).

CONCLUSION

The use of continuous sedation in radiofrequency rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia provides pain relief comparable to the recorded literature rate for procedures with intermittent awakening.