Effect of pulsed radiofrequency stimulation of the dorsal root ganglion combined with pregabalin on trigeminal neuralgia and levels of patients’ serum CGRP and 5-HT

Abstract:

Objective：To observe the clinical efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency（PRF） of the dorsal root ganglia at different voltage levels combined with pregabalin in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia and its effects on serum levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide（CGRP） and 5-hydroxytryptamine（5-HT） in patients with trigeminal neuralgia，and to lay a primary foundation for exploring its possible mechanism. Methods：Ninety patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia were randomly divided into three groups. Con－trol group：oral pregabalin；standard-voltage and high-voltage PRF group：combined with standard-voltage or high-voltage PRF of the dorsal root ganglia in addition to oral pregabalin. Changes in pain intensity（PI），life satisfaction index B（LSI-B），Pittsburgh sleep quality index（PSQI），and patients’ serum levels of CGRP and 5-HT were evaluated. Results：PI score，total sleep quality score，LSI，and serum levels of CGRP and 5-HT were improved in all three groups，significantly greater in the high-voltage PRF group than in the other two groups（P<0.05）. Conclusion：PRF stimulation of the dorsal root ganglia combined with pregabalin is more effective in improving sleep quality and quality of life，relieving patients’ pain symptoms，and regulating the levels of factors related to the patho－genesis of trigeminal neuralgia.