Ultrasound-guided supraorbital radiofrequency ablation for V1 postherpetic neuralgia

Abstract

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) affecting the first division of the trigeminal nerve (TrN) (V1) is a difficult to manage condition, characterized by neuropathic symptoms such as burning sensation, allodynia, and hyperalgesia that continues even after the resolution of the acute phase and decreasing the patient's quality of life. Interventional procedures such as Gasserian Ganglion continuous radiofrequency (CRF) have been performed to control pain despite the possible complications involving V1 division. We present the case of a 47-year-old male with PHN at V1 successfully treated with ultrasound-guided CRF at the supraorbital foramen. Postherpetic, neuralgia, TrN, facial pain, neuropathic pain, trigeminal ganglion, interventional ultrasonography, chronic pain, and hyperalgesia.

Keywords

• chronic pain
• facial pain
• neuropathic pain
• postherapeutic neuralgia
• trigeminal neuralgia