Editor-in-Chief: Alaa Abd-Elsayed, MD, PhD
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BACKGROUND: Pulse-dose radiofrequency (PDRF) treatment is a minimally invasive alternative to continued and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment in chronic pain management. Although there is evidence in the literature of treatment for unresponsive trigeminal neuralgia (TN) with PRF, there is no proven efficacy for PDRF.
CASE REPORT: We present a case of idiopathic refractory TN in an elderly patient treated with PDRF, since the patient appeared intolerant and unresponsive to pharmacological therapy. Three treatment sessions were given with a follow-up of 6 months. PDRF treatment was administered as long as the patient reported the exacerbation of the pain, in contrast to our standard clinical practice.
CONCLUSIONS: A long-term effect and a dose-cumulative effect were seen in our patient, with a complete remission of the pain symptomatology. No neurological side effects or complications were reported.
KEY WORDS: Inferior alveolar nerve radiofrequency, pain therapy, pulse-dose radiofrequency, trigeminal neuralgia
