[Preliminary report of botulinum toxin type A injection at trigger point for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: experiences of 16 cases].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of injection of botulium toxin type A at trigger point for treatment of patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia.

METHODS

Sixteen patients with primary Trigeminal Neuralgia were treated with injection of botulium toxin type A. Visual analog scores(VAS) at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment and Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain evaluation criteria were utilized to measure the degree of pain. The data was analyzed with SPSS 10.0 software package.

RESULTS

The VAS score was 9.12±0.65 before botulium toxin type A injection while the scores were 2.8±1.36, 2.2±1.26, 1.3±1.45, 1.3±1.45 and 1.2±2.52 at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month,3 months and 6 months after treatment. There was significant difference in VAS compared with before treatment. VAS score was lower and stable at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment, but no significant difference was found at 1-week and 2-week after treatment. BNI evaluation results showed good therapeutic effect 1 week after treatment, while the best therapeutic effect was noted 1-3 months after treatment. 6 months later, 1 patient had recurrence and 11 patients had complete relief of pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Botulium toxin type A injection is an effective way for treatment of patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia.