Name of the Procedure:

Injection(s), anesthetic agent(s) and/or steroid; trigeminal nerve, each branch (i.e., ophthalmic, maxillary, mandibular)

Summary

This procedure involves injecting an anesthetic or steroid medication into one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve to relieve pain. The branches treated can include the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular branches, depending on the location of the patient's pain.

Purpose

The procedure is mainly performed to alleviate chronic facial pain, often associated with conditions like trigeminal neuralgia. Its goal is to reduce pain and improve the patient’s quality of life by targeting the specific nerve branches involved.

Indications

• Chronic facial pain
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Persistent idiopathic facial pain
• Cluster headaches that do not respond to other treatments Patients experiencing severe, debilitating facial pain that affects their daily life and activities are ideal candidates for this procedure.

Preparation

• Patients may need to fast for a few hours before the procedure.
• Specific medications, especially blood thinners, may need to be adjusted.
• Diagnostic imaging, such as MRI or CT scans, may be required to identify the exact location of nerve pain.

Procedure Description

1. The patient is positioned comfortably, typically lying down.
2. The area to be injected is cleaned and sterilized.
3. Depending on the branch to be treated, a local anesthetic may be applied.
4. Using imaging guidance (like fluoroscopy or ultrasound), a fine needle is inserted near the targeted nerve branch.
5. An anesthetic agent and/or steroid medication is injected.
6. The needle is carefully removed, and pressure is applied to the injection site to prevent bleeding.

Duration

The procedure typically takes between 30 to 60 minutes.

Setting

This procedure is usually performed in an outpatient clinic or hospital setting.

Personnel

• Pain specialist or neurologist
• Radiologist or technician (for imaging guidance)
• Nurses or medical assistants

Risks and Complications

• Common risks include temporary discomfort, bruising, or swelling at the injection site.
• Rare risks include infection, bleeding, or allergic reactions to the medications used.
• Potential complications can involve numbness or weakness in the face, which is usually temporary.

Benefits

Patients can expect significant relief from facial pain shortly after the procedure, which can last for several weeks to months. Improved quality of life and increased ability to perform daily activities are common outcomes.

Recovery

• Post-procedure, patients are usually monitored for a short while before being discharged.
• Light activities can be resumed the same day, but strenuous activities should be avoided for 24-48 hours.
• Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness and plan for any additional treatments.

Alternatives

• Oral medications, such as anticonvulsants or muscle relaxants.
• Other types of nerve blocks or ablation techniques.
• Surgical options may be considered for severe cases. Each alternative has its pros and cons in terms of duration of relief, potential side effects, and invasiveness.

Patient Experience

During the procedure, patients may feel a brief prick and pressure but typically not much pain due to local anesthesia. Post-procedure, mild discomfort at the injection site may occur, managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Most patients experience a noticeable improvement in pain shortly after recovery.