Comparative analysis of MVD and RHZ in the treatment of primary glossopharyngeal neuralgia: A clinical report on 61 cases

Safety and efficacy of radiofrequency treatment for glossopharyngeal neuralgia: a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis

To systematically evaluate the efficacy and recurrence rate of radiofrequency treatment for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia, providing evidence-based support for clinical treatment. Systematic searches were conducted in databases including CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, PubMed, EMbase, and Cochrane Library from inception to September 30, 2024, for both Chinese and English literature on radiofrequency treatment of Glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Literature was strictly screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and data were processed and analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software for Meta-analysis. A total of 13 studies involving 437 patients were ultimately included. Meta-analysis results showed that Radiofrequency treatment resulted in significant improvements in pain scores at all postoperative time points (SMD = 3.38 at immediate postoperative, SMD = 4.18 at 1 month,SMD = 3.44 at 3 month,SMD = 2.94 at 6 month, SMD = 2.96 at 12 month) compared to baseline.The efficacy rate within one week after radiofrequency treatment was 84%. The efficacy rate within one year after radiofrequency treatment was 80%. The recurrence rate within one year after radiofrequency treatment was 13%. The incidence of complications within one year after radiofrequency treatment was 29%. Sensitivity analysis results indicated that the findings of this study are robust. Publication bias analysis showed that there is a low likelihood of publication bias in this study. Radiofrequency treatment for glossopharyngeal neuralgia has a good efficacy rate and a low recurrence rate, with radiofrequency thermocoagulation combined with Nerve destroying drugs showing the highest efficacy rate and the lowest recurrence rate, but there are certain complications.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for idiopathic glossopharyngeal neuralgia: A systematic review

Background

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has recently gained space as an accepted non-invasive alternative treatment option for drug resistant Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN). The purpose of this systematic review was to provide an overview of the outcomes of SRS treatment in patients with GPN.

Methods

A literature review until March 2023 was performed. Data about patient's demographics, complications and recurrence rates, additional treatment post procedure as well as pain outcomes in the short and long term were collected. Studies without reported pain outcomes were excluded.

Results

Sixteen studies with a total of 97 patients diagnosed with GPN who had undergone SRS were identified. The mean reported maximal radiation dose ranged from 70 to 88.7 Gy with the glossopharyngeal meatus (GPM) being the most common target in 12/16 studies. The median time from SRS till pain response was between 2 and 120 days. The mean proportion of patients requiring further treatment after SRS ranged from 11.1 to 57.14% in a time frame between 2 and 36 months post procedure. Favourable pain response rates after SRS (BNI-IIIb) ranged from 60% to 100% and 57.1%-100% in short and long term respectively.

Conclusion

SRS for GPN remains a safe alternative to surgery with low complication rates and favourable pain outcomes in both short and long term.