Open AccessLong-term outcomes of percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation for glossopharyngeal neuralgia
Author(s) -
Xiaoping Wang,
Yue Tang,
Yuanjie Zeng,
Jiaxiang Ni
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.59
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1536-5964
pISSN - 0025-7974
DOI - 10.1097/md.0000000000005530
Subject(s) - medicine , radiofrequency thermocoagulation , percutaneous , dysphagia , surgery , complication , retrospective cohort study , medical record , anesthesia , neuralgia , pain relief , neuropathic pain
The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term results of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PRT) for glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN). A retrospective review of medical records for patients with GPN who were treated with CT-guided PRT between 2003 and 2014 was performed to investigate baseline characteristics and immediate outcomes during the hospitalization. Long-term pain relief outcomes and complications were obtained via telephone survey. Duration of pain-free was assessed by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Eighty patients with GPN were treated with CT-guided PRT, and 71 patients could be contacted for the follow-up. The mean length of follow-up after PRT was 56.2 ± 43.3 months. Pain relief occurred in 63 patients (78.8%) immediate after the PRT procedure. The percentage of patients who remained in an “excellent” or “good” pain relief condition was 73.2%, 63.0%, 53.2%, and 43.0% at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years. Postprocedure complication included dysesthesias, dysphagia, and diminished gag reflex. No mortality was observed during or after PRT procedures. This study indicates that CT-guided PRT is a safe and effective method for patients with GPN and should be considered as an alternative treatment for these patients.