Efficacy of peripheral streptomycin injection in the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the efficacy of peripheral streptomycin injection in relieving the pain of idiopathic trigerninal neuralgia. Quasi experimental study. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry Rawalpindi, from 1[st] June 2006 to 31[st] December 2007. Thirty patients of idiopathic trigerninal neuralgia were selected. They received five consecutive injections of streptomycin Ig in 3 ml of 2% Lignocaine [Septodont] with 1 100,000 adrenaline at one week interval. Follow up was carried out at one, two and six months after the last injection. Age ranged from 15-78 years [mean 44.67]. Male to female ratio was 11.14. Right side of the face was involved in 70% and left side in 30% cases. Mandibular division of trigeminal nerve was involved in 43.3% and maxillary division in 40% of the cases. In the rest both maxillary and mandibular divisions were involved. Pain was significantly decreased from baseline to 1 month [p < 0.001]. The level of pain was increased a bit but the increase was significant at two months [p = 0.006] and at 6 months [p = 0.020]. Best treatment modality for this devastating disease is yet to evolve. Within the confines of the study it can be stated that efficacy combined with low post treatment morbidity makes streptomycin a useful treatment option