Effectiveness Analysis of Awake Computed Tomography-Guided Double-Needle Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation for the Treatment of Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PRT) is an established treatment for glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN). However, the effectiveness of conventional single-needle PRT is limited due to the glossopharyngeal nerve's unique anatomical location. OBJECTIVES: A major objective of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness and long-term outcomes of computed-tomography (CT)-guided double-needle PRT for patients with GPN. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Department of Pain Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. METHODS: Clinical data from 38 postoperative GPN patients who underwent CT-guided double-needle PRT between October 2019 and September 2022 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Pain severity was assessed using the Barrow Neurological Institute Pain Intensity Scale (BNI-P) score, and anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: Thirty-eight GPN patients were treated with CT-guided double-needle PRT, and 28 patients could be contacted for follow-up. Pain was relieved in 23 patients (82.14%) immediately after the PRT procedure. The percentage of patients who experienced persistent pain relief was 85.71% at T2, 85.71% at T3, 89.28% at T4 and 89.28% at T5. Post-procedure complications included dysesthesia in the throat, dysphagia, choking on drinking water, and hoarseness. No mortality was observed during or after PRT procedures. Twelve patients (42.9%) suffered from anxiety, and 16 patients (57.1%) had depression. Postoperative HADS scores showed notable improvements over the preoperative scores. LIMITATIONS: Because this study was observational and retrospective, there was no detailed evaluation of the patients. Additionally, the study's small sample size and single-center nature may have further contributed to the bias of the results. A multicenter, prospective study with a large sample size should be performed to further investigate the effectiveness of CT-guided double-needle PRT as a GPN treatment. CONCLUSION: This study's findings suggest that CT-guided double-needle PRT is a safe and effective alternative treatment for GPN.
Source: Pain Physician
Language: English
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4403113224