Clinical effect of pulsed radio-frequence on trigeminal post-herpetic neuralgia.

Dr Xing Wei,Dr Jia-shuang Wang and Dr Jia-jin Bao

Department of Pain Medincine of Jinan University. Guangzhou 510220.

Abstract Objective Trigeminal post-herpetic neuralgia  is one of typical painful diseases of human head or face. This paper report clinical effect of pulsed radio-frequence(PRF) on trigeminal pos-therpetic neuralgia. Methods There are 60 cases, 30 is in-patient or out-patient, of trigeminal post-herpetic neuralgia are investigated and index of pain types, sleeping condition and remain symptoms in zoster area are used. Results lightning pain, lancinating pain, burning pain are main complaint in clinical and average VAS score is 8.2. There are two sub-clinical types, irritable nociceptor group(42), deafferentation group(18),respectively. After PRF (2Hz,40℃,120s), VAS score is 3.3, the control group is 5.4. The effect is stable after 14-18 months follow up in PRF group.  Conclusion  After treatment by PRF, the quality of life of patient markedly improve, the effect is better than the control group and stable during 14-18 months follow up.

From: Chinese J. of Pain Medicine,2011:17(4):205-7.