The Effectiveness of Percutaneous Microballoon Compression and Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation in the Treatment of Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia

WANG Hailin; XUE Shanzhi

doi:10.14033/j.cnki.cfmr.2025.27.015

Abstract：Objective:To compare the differences between percutaneous microballoon compression and radiofrequency thermocoagulation in the treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia.Method:A retrospective review of clinical data from 86 patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia admitted to Yancheng NO.1 People's Hospital between August 2019 and August 2023 was conducted,and the patients were divided into two groups based on treatment modality:the balloon group and the radiofrequency group,with 43 patients in each group.The balloon group received percutaneous microballoon compression therapy,while the radiofrequency group received radiofrequency thermal coagulation therapy.The clinical efficacy,pain levels,recurrence rates,and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.Result:After 3 months postoperatively,there was no statistically significant difference in the overall clinical efficacy rate between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared with 1 month postoperatively,the visual analog scale scores were higher in both groups at 3 months postoperatively,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The recurrence rate was higher in the radiofrequency group than in the balloon group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The incidence of facial numbness and masseter muscle weakness was lower in the radiofrequency group than in the balloon group,while the incidence of corneal discomfort was higher in the radiofrequency group than in the balloon group,and both differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of oral herpes between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Microballoon compression and radiofrequency thermocoagulation are similar in their effectiveness in treating patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia.Both procedures result in similar pain relief and recurrence rates one year after surgery.However,percutaneous microballoon compression has a lower incidence of complications such as facial numbness and masseter muscle weakness,but a higher incidence of corneal discomfort.