Predictive Factors Associated With Successful Response to Ultrasound-guided Maxillary and Mandibular Nerve Radiofrequency Treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Pulsed radiofrequency treatment applied to the maxillary and mandibular nerves, which are the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve, is frequently used in patients with trigeminal neuralgia who do not adequately respond to medical treatment.

Pain intensity was evaluated at baseline and 3 months after US-guided maxillary and/or mandibular nerve PRF treatment using NRS (numerical rating scale). The primary outcome measure was percent reduction in pain, with 50% pain relief lasting at least 3 months was defined as a positive categorical outcome.

In addition, demographic data such as age (years), gender, duration of pain (months), etiology (idiopathic or secondary), MRI findings (normal findings or abnormal findings due to conditions such as vascular compression and demyelinating plaque), pain side (unilateral or bilateral), and history of Gasser ganglion RF ablation were obtained from patient data. NRS scores before and 3 months after PRF were collected from the patient data and recorded. Pre-procedural cranial MRI and MR cisternography reports were accessed from patient records, and any abnormalities were recorded. We retrospectively analyzed the patient's electronic medical history records and the archive system containing the imaging results to obtain the variables.

The main aim of this study was to determine the clinical and demographic variables associated with treatment outcomes in patients with TN who underwent PRF of the maxillary and mandibular nerves. The secondary aim of this study was to determine the incidence of procedure-related adverse events.