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Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
Published on: May 10, 2017
Peripheral nerve stimulation for trigeminal neuropathic pain
David A Stidd1, Adam L Wuollet, Kirk Bowden
1University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. dstidd@email.arizona.edu
Pain Physician
|January 25, 2012
Summary
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) effectively treats intractable trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP) when medications fail. This minimally invasive procedure offers significant symptomatic relief for facial pain patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Management
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP) is chronic facial pain from trigeminal nerve damage.
- Medical management with anticonvulsants and analgesics is the first-line treatment for TNP.
- TNP can be refractory to medication, leading to significant patient morbidity.
Observation:
- Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a minimally invasive procedure for intractable TNP.
- A case series demonstrated successful treatment of common TNP causes using PNS.
- Follow-up up to two years showed sustained symptomatic relief in most patients.
Findings:
- PNS effectively treated medically intractable TNP in the case series.
- Only one patient required electrode revision due to migration.
- Patients experienced significant and lasting symptomatic relief from facial pain.
Implications:
- PNS is a safe and effective treatment option for TNP refractory to medical management.
- The procedure can be considered for patients unsuitable for major surgery.
- Further case series support neuromodulation as a viable TNP treatment.
