Pulsed Radiofrequency for Postherpetic Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Case Report

Cureus. 2022 Sep 7;14(9):e28913. doi: 10.7759/cureus.28913. eCollection 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia has been reported to cause chronic headaches and facial pain. There are various modalities of treatment ranging from pharmacological to surgical treatment. However, these are frequently accompanied by undesirable side effects and minimal efficacy. Pulsed radiofrequency has been used to treat chronic pain but it is often seen as an unconventional treatment for postherpetic neuralgia. Nonetheless, the literature supports its use for alleviating pain with minimal complications. This case demonstrates that pulsed radiofrequency can successfully treat intractable pain secondary to postherpetic neuralgia affecting all three trigeminal dermatomes.

Keywords: chronic pain management; diagnosis and management of facial pain; postherpatic neuralgia; pulsed radiofrequency; suicide disease; tic douloureux; trigeminal neuralgia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports