RESUMO
Objective To observe the effect of radiofrequency thermocoagulation on patients with refractory supraorbital neuralgia Methods From February, 2007 to September, 2014, 36 patients with refractory supraorbital neuralgia following ineffective conservative ther-apy including medicine and nerve blockade underwent radiofrequency thermocoagulation. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Patient Satisfaction Scale (PSS), onset time, effective rate, recurrence rate, additional carbamazepine dosage and side effects were recorded before, and one day, one month, three months, six months, one year, two years after treatment. NRS=0 or 50%diminution was considered effectively. Results It worked two days on average (zero to seven) after treatment. The NRS score decreased (P<0.05) and the PSS score increased (P<0.05) com-pared with the data before treatment. The effective rate was 100%within six months. The recurrence rate was 11.1%within two years. Sec-ond radiofrequency thermocoagulation treatment still worked for the recurrent patients. No other side effect was observed, except permanent frontal numbness, short-time palpebral edema and ecchymosis. Conclusion Radiofrequency thermocoagulation is effective on refractory su-praorbital neuralgia, and the side effects are tolerable so it is an alternative choice for patients experiencing invalid conservative therapy.
RESUMO
Pulsed radiofrequency treatment has an analgesic effect by neuromodulation of the central pain pathway without neural injury. However, lack of knowledge regarding the exact mechanism on neuropathic pain makes the use of pulsed radiofrequency treatment controversial. Here, we describe a case of satisfactory pain relief after ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment in a patient with supraorbital herpetic pain refractory to medication. This case indicates the potential of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment in patients with postherpetic supraorbital neuralgia.