The following is a summary of “Percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation and microvascular decompression for treating glossopharyngeal neuralgia: a retrospective clinical study,” published in the October 2023 issue of Neurology by Wu et al.

Researchers started a retrospective study to compare the effectiveness of percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PRT) and microvascular decompression (MVD) in treating glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN).

They reviewed medical records to examine baseline characteristics and immediate postoperative prognosis. Long-term outcomes were gathered through telephone interviews. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were compared at 1 day and 1, 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks post-surgery between the MVD and PRT groups. Complete pain relief rate, effective rate, adverse reactions, hospital stay length, and economic indicators were compared.

The results showed that VAS and PSQI scores for both groups at 1 day and 1, 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks after surgery were significantly lower (P<0.05) than their pre-surgery values. At 48 weeks, the complete remission rate was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the MVD group compared to the PRT group. No notable difference in adverse reactions was observed between the two groups. The MVD group had higher (P<0.05) hospital stay, operative time, and cost than the PRT group.

Investigators concluded that other PRT and MVD reduced pain and improved sleep quality. Still, MVD had better long-term outcomes and was more recommended for young patients, although it was more expensive.

Source: bmcneurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12883-023-03415-z