Percutaneous Peripheral Radiofrequency Ablation of Mandibular Nerve: Case Series of Seven Patients

BACKGROUND: For longer pain relief from mandibular neuralgia (MN), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of trigeminal ganglion is undertaken intracranially and fluoroscopically. OBJECTIVES: For better safety, extracranial peripheral percutaneous mandibular nerve block (EPPMNB) has been tried; however, to the best of our knowledge, no such large series is published. STUDY DESIGN: Seven patients of MN were enrolled for EPPMNB. SETTINGS: Pain Outpatient Department (OPD) METHODS: Seven patients of MN underwent EPPMNB. RESULTS: EPPMNB can be safely undertaken in OPD with low risk of complications and is efficacious for long-term treatment for MN. LIMITATIONS: Further randomized controlled trials are required for definitive conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: EPPMNB with RFA is safe and effective for MN. KEY WORDS: Mandibular neuralgia, radiofrequency ablation, trigeminal ganglion