Abstract

MARTINEZ SUAREZ, J.E.; LOBAINA ORTIZ, M.; SANTANA MERCADO, W.  and  AVILIO FERRUFINO, R.. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation in Arnold's occipital neuralgia. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2010, vol.17, n.8, pp.376-379. ISSN 1134-8046.

We present a series of 47 patients with occipital neuralgia operated on between 2006 and 2008 in the Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Hermanos Ameijeiras, using the conventional percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation technique. The aim was to determine effectiveness of the procedure through the results obtained. Variables, including gender, side affected by pain, aetiology and surgical results were recorded. The majority were female (79%). The left occipital was the side more affected (70.2%). Idiopathic was the main cause (81%) followed by trauma with 14.8%. The technique had a 91.4% success rate. Conventional radiofrequency thermocoagulation is a minimally invasive method which damages the nerve, easy to use, with no morbidity or mortality, and its increased efficacy makes it one of the alternative therapies in the relief of this pain.

Keywords : Thermocoagulation by radiofrequency; Occipital neuralgia; Arnold's neuralgia.

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