Peripheric Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Background and aims: 
Gasser ganglion RFT (radiofrequency thermocoagulation) is an effective treatment modality for trigeminal neuralgia in patients who do not respond or tolerate medications. It also carries many potential risks.
Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) to periferal nerves is accepted as a more simple and safe method when it's compared with Gasser ganglion RFT. However, there is no clinical study on its efficacy.
The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of PRF in patients with trigeminal neuralgia who responded with temporary relief to the local anesthetic block in the peripheric branches of trigeminal nerve.
Methods:
Twenty one patients with trigeminal neuralgia who responded to the local anesthetic injection to the peripheral trigeminal nerve branches with temporary relief in pain were included to study. One day after the peripheric nerve block, 240 sec PRF were performed to same nerve branch. Pain intensity, duration of effectivity and complications were evaluated for all patients.
Results: 
Disturbution of the cases to peripheral nerves were; infraorbital nerve 8, mental nerve 7 and supraorbital nerve 6 patients. It was determined that the mean pain severity (visual analog scale) decreased from 9.2 ± 0,62488 to 1.5 ± 0,87287. Duration of the analgesia (median) was 12(9-21) months and no complications occurred.
Conclusions: 
PRF procedure seems to be an effective and safe method in patients who respond to the block of the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve.

PERIPHERIC NERVE PULSED RADIOFREQUENCY FOR TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA