Headache. 2008 Sep 9. [Epub ahead of print]
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Radiofrequency Ablation for the Management of Chronic Cluster Headache.

Narouze S, Kapural L, Casanova J, Mekhail N.

Cleveland Clinic Foundation-Pain Management Department, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Objectives.- Chronic cluster headache patients are often resistant to pharmacological management. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) was shown before to improve episodic cluster headache but not chronic cluster headache. We were interested to examine the effect of such intervention in patients with intractable chronic cluster headache who failed pharmacological management. Methods.- Fifteen patients with chronic cluster headache, who experienced temporary pain relief following SPG block, underwent percutaneous RFA via the infrazygomatic approach under fluoroscopic guidance. Collected data include demographic variables, onset and duration of the headache, mean attack intensity (MAI), mean attack frequency (MAF), and pain disability index (PDI) before and up to 18 months after procedure. Results.- At 1-, 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-month follow-up, the MAI was 2.6, 3.2, 3.2, 3.4, 4.2, respectively (P < .0001, P < .0001, P < .0001, P < .0005, P < .003, respectively). The PDI improved from 55 (baseline) to 17.2 and 25.6 at 6 and 12 months respectively (P < .001). The MAF improved from 17 attacks/week to 5.4, 6.4, 7.8, 8.6, 8.3 at 1-, 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-month follow-up visits (P < .0001, P < .0001, P < .0001, P < .002, P < .004, respectively). Conclusion.- Our data showed that percutaneous RFA of the SPG is an effective modality of treatment for patients with intractable chronic cluster headaches. Precise needle placement with the use of real-time fluoroscopy and electrical stimulation prior to attempting radiofrequency lesioning may reduce the incidence of adverse events.

PMID: 18783451 [PubMed]

Looks promising indeed, Bob. I'm episodic, not chronic, and I hope this will eventually help those who are. Knew Cleve Clinic was tops for heart work but I hadn't realized they researched pain and CH as well. Thanks for the looksee.

David

Thanks for this, Bob. I have Sphenopalatine (or Sluder's) neuralgia. The symptoms mimic CH, except for the eye pain, and a flare up (usually caused by acute nasal congestion) can trigger a very bad high cycle for me. The neuralgia can trigger CH attacks, and the attacks make the neuralgia worse.  :-/

My primary care doc suggested a nerve block when things get really bad. I may have to try it when/if it happens again.

Glad you posted this, Bob!  My neurosurgeon wants me to look into sphenopalatine block while we are in between nerve stimulator surgeries.  Trouble is, so far we can't find anyone to do it in Philadelphia.  I'll be sure to share this article with him, although he may have already seen it!

Take care!
Carrie :)

Bob,

Thanks again for posting another article.  I would ask anyone interested in pursuing a DESTRUCTIVE procedure, such as this, to fully explore the likely side effects.

From my perspective, I would only consider this, or a similar procedure, at the absolute end of my rope.

Wishing you well,

Ray