COMPARISON OF RADIOFREQUENCY THERMOCOAGULATION AT HIGH TEMPERATURES WITH COMBINED RADIOFREQUENCY THERMOCOAGULATION AND PULSED RADIOFREQUENCY IN TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation (RFT) applied at high temperatures and RFT combined Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) to improve the efficacy in trigeminal neuralgia. Materials and Methods: Demographic, clinical examination findings and VAS scores of the patients who underwent combined RFT + PRF and RFT for trigeminal neuralgia in the Algology clinic between May 2014 and March 2022 were recorded before the procedure and evaluated at 1 month, 12 months and 24 months after the procedure. Results: The results of 43 patients (24 females, 19 males) were evaluated in 2 groups according to whether 20 patients underwent high-temperature RFT and 23 patients underwent PRF+ high-temperature RFT. At 1 month, 12 months and 24 months post-procedure follow-up, VAS scores were significantly lower in both groups compared to pre-procedure (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). The duration of pain control was 25.8 +/- 4.8 months in the RFT group and 25 +/- 3.4 months in the PRF+RFT group (p=0.5). At 24 months followup, recurrence was observed in 3 patients (2 patients in RFT group, 1 patient in PRF+RFT group) (p=0.5). Complications (masseter atony and dermatomal hypoesthesia) occurred in 10 patients in the RFT group and 5 patients in the PRF+RFT group (p=0.052). The mean time to resolution of complications was 75 +/- 35.61 days in the RFT group and 40 +/- 18.17 days in the RFT+PRF group (p=0.04). No irreversible complication was recorded in any patient. Conclusion: PRF combined with RFT at high temperatures is an appropriate treatment option to prevent complications and shorten the regression time to side effects.