Work

Ultrasound- and CT-Guided Medial-to-Lateral Radiofrequency Ablation of the Infraorbital Nerve for Persistent Idiopathic Dentoalveolar Pain: A Trajectory-Based Approach

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Persistent Idiopathic Dentoalveolar Pain (PIDAP) is a persistent idiopathic toothache that frequently remains unresponsive to medical therapy. Precise targeting of the infraorbital nerve is essential for successful intervention, yet anatomical variability often limits the consistency of conventional radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This report describes a medial-to-lateral ultrasound- and computed tomography-guided approach, intended to align with the natural orientation of the infraorbital canal and potentially enhance electrode-nerve contact. A 48-year-old woman with refractory maxillary incisor pain underwent RFA after only transient benefit from a diagnostic nerve block. Ultrasound enabled accurate identification of the infraorbital foramen and confirmed the canal's medial-to-lateral course, which then guided CT-assisted needle advancement into the orbitomaxillary segment. The patient experienced immediate analgesia. Pain reduction was maintained at the one-month follow-up. At the two-month assessment, although a mild symptom rebound was observed, no procedure-related complications were noted. This trajectory-based medial-to-lateral technique offers an anatomically grounded alternative for infraorbital nerve RFA and may represent a valuable option for refractory PIDAP.

Source: Diagnostics

DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics16020254

Authors: Sz-Tsan Wang, Ke-Vin Chang, Wei-Ting Wu, Levent Özçakar