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Updated: May 7, 2026
Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
Published on: May 10, 2017
Salvage treatment of trigeminal neuralgia by occipital nerve stimulation
Denys Fontaine1, Eric Bozzolo, Nathalie Chivoret
1Service de Neurochirurgie, Pole des Neurosciences Cliniques, CHU de Nice, France.
Background:
Although most patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia (TN) respond to medical or surgical treatment, nonresponders remain in very severe painful condition.
Case Result:
We describe for the first time a case of severe refractory classical TN treated successfully (follow-up one year) by chronic bilateral occipital nerve stimulation (ONS), because other classic medical and surgical options failed or could not be performed.
Conclusions:
This single case suggests that ONS might be offered to TN patients refractory both to standard drugs and interventions, with a favorable risk/benefit ratio, although its long-term efficacy remains unknown.
