Trigeminal neuralgia: are all of the treatment options being considered?

Long-term cohort study comparing medical (oxcarbazepine) and surgical management of intractable trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a recurrent severe shooting neuropathic pain which can be managed both pharmacologically and surgically. However, there are no prospective data that compare these two therapeutic strategies. This study therefore aimed to assess long-term outcome in patients with intractable trigeminal neuralgia treated with oxcarbazepine and later with surgery. Fifteen patients (11 females) with trigeminal neuralgia intractable to available drugs (carbamazepine, phenytoin and baclofen), were prospectively followed for 13 years (1986-1999) with a total follow up time from onset of disease of 16 +/- 6 years (mean +/- SD), range 8-30 years. All patients were contacted in 1999 and 12 replied, two had died and one had last replied in 1996. Patients were first treated with oxcarbazepine 1200 +/- 600 mg daily dosage (mean +/- SD) and subsequently with surgery of their choice. The outcome measures used were: McGill Pain Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, patient satisfaction questionnaire and clinicians' global evaluation. Pain control was initially achieved in all patients and oxcarbazepine was used continuously or intermittently for 4.0 +/- 3 years (mean +/- SD). Thirteen patients experienced some mild side effects and a dose-dependent hyponatraemia was noted. Subsequently, 12 patients required surgery (five microvascular decompressions and seven surgery at the level of the Gasserian ganglion) to control their pain and were followed up for 4.3 +/- 1.7 years post surgery (mean +/- SD). Three patients required repeat surgery to control their pain, which was successful in two. A further two patients continued with low dose medication post initially successful surgery. Three patients reported numbness and one hearing loss after surgery. Kaplan Meier analysis 3 years after oxcarbazepine use and then 3 years after surgery showed that the mean time for recurrence of pain after oxcarbazepine treatment was 10 months whilst for surgery it was 28 months (P<0.0001). Pain free periods and types of complications post surgery varied and depended on the type of surgery performed. Due to the small numbers, it was not possible to analyse the different types of surgical procedures individually. Outcomes after any type of surgery were better on all evaluations and eight patients felt that they should have had surgery earlier. Oxcarbazepine is a potent antineuralgic drug with very good acceptability and tolerability. However, its effectiveness was rather short term necessitating surgical intervention. As surgery was associated with better outcome, patients may therefore benefit from having surgery earlier rather than later in the disease process in order to improve quality of life, freedom from medication and the need for regular follow up. Surgery does not provide pain relief for all patients. This is the first study that has compared outcome in a group of patients who have had both pharmacological and surgical treatments. As these data cannot be extrapolated to other antineuralgic drugs, similar comparative studies would be appropriate.

A placebo-controlled crossover study of rizatriptan in the treatment of multiple migraine attacks. Rizatriptan Multiple Attack Study Group

OBJECTIVE

To examine the safety and efficacy of rizatriptan 10 mg PO in the treatment of multiple migraine attacks.

BACKGROUND

Rizatriptan is a potent and rapidly absorbed 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist. Efficacy and general safety have been examined in controlled trials treating single migraine attacks. In the current placebo-controlled study, we report constancy of safety and efficacy of rizatriptan for patients treating four discrete migraine attacks.

METHODS

Patients with moderate or severe migraine (n = 473) were randomized to one of five sequence groups, in which each patient was to treat four migraine attacks. Patients in four groups received rizatriptan 10 mg for three of four attacks and placebo for the remaining attack. Patients in the fifth group received rizatriptan 10 mg for four attacks. Headache severity, functional disability, and migraine symptoms were measured immediately before dosing and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4 hours postdose.

RESULTS

After the first attack, response rates were 77% for rizatriptan and 37% for placebo (p < 0.001). Similar efficacy of rizatriptan, ranging from a 75 to 80% response, was observed in each of the subsequent attacks with no evidence of tolerance to therapeutic effects. Most patients (93%) responded to rizatriptan 10 mg during the first or second attack. Adverse experiences were generally mild and transient, the most common being dizziness and somnolence. Incidence of adverse experiences per attack decreased after the first attack.

CONCLUSIONS

Rizatriptan 10 mg PO is efficacious and generally well tolerated in acute migraine. Its efficacy is maintained throughout the treatment of multiple, discrete migraine attacks.