Trigeminalna neuralgija (TN) jedan je od najčešćih uzroka boli lica. Medikamentno liječenje katkada nije dovoljno učinkovitoi može imati neprihvatljive nuspojave. Ostale mogućnosti liječenja obuhvaćaju kiruški zahvat, te minimalno invazivne tehnike poput perkutane rizotomije glicerolom, perkutane mikrokompresije balonom, te kontinuirane radiofrekventne termokoagulacije (CRF). CRF se široko rabi u liječenju TN, no visoke temperature >70° C mogu dovesti do ozbiljnih komplikacija, dok suniže temperature nedovoljno učinkovite. Pulsna radiofrekventna neuromodulacija (PRF) rabi struju u kratkim, visokovoltažnim impulsima, dok “tiha” faza omogućava eliminaciju topline te temperatura tkiva u pravilu ne prelazi 42° C. Mehanizam kojim se PRF dovodi do smanjenja boli bez termičkog oštećenja tkiva nije potpuno razjašnjen, no pretpostavlja se da brze promjene električnog polja dovode do promijenjenog prijenosa bolnih impulsa. Prema dostupnoj literaturi, u odnosu na CRF učinkovitost je nešto niža, no sa značajno manje komplikacija. Ipak, produljenje vremena izvođenja PRF sa 2 na 6 do 8 minuta može značajno povećati učinkovitost navedene metode.Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is one of the most common causes of facial pain. Sometimes medical treatment is not effective enough and may have unacceptable side effects. Other treatment options include surgical interventions and minimally invasive techniques such as percutaneous rhizotomy with glycerol, percutaneous balloon decompression, and percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (CRF). CRF is widely used for TN treatment, but high temperatures >70 °C can cause serious complications, while lower temperatures are inefficient. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) uses the current in short, high-power pulses, while the ‘silent’ phase allows heat elimination and temperature of the tissue generally does not exceed 42 °C. The mechanism by which PRF leads to pain reduction without thermal damage to the tissue is not fully understood, but rapid changes in the electrical fi eld are assumed to result in altered transmission of pain signals. According to available literature, compared to CRF, effi cacy is lower, but with signifi cantly less complications. However, the prolongation of PRF time from 2 to 6 to 8 minutes can signifi cantly increase the effi ciency of this method
