Effect of CT-Guided Gasserian Ganglion Block with Local Anesthetics and Steroids on Acute/Subacute Zoster-Related Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

PURPOSE: To further evaluate the effects of gasserian ganglion block treatment with local anesthetics and steroids on patients with acute/subacute zoster-related trigeminal neuralgia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a multicenteric retrospective study which included patients between the ages of 26–92 years, who suffered from acute/subacute zoster-related trigeminal neuralgia and had undergone CT-guided gasserian ganglion block. The medical records of these patients between January 13, 2016 and August 25, 2021 were retrieved, and the patients were followed up for 6 months. Follow-up outcomes were Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, medications and dosage. The effective rate was defined as the number of cases with NRS score reduction of >50%/total number of cases×100% at 12 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: The postoperative NRS scores were significantly decreased in all patients (P < 0.05), and NRS scores in acute zoster group were lower than those in subacute zoster group at different time points (P < 0.05). The percentage of patients who had a reduction of medication use value of >50% was 56.4% and the effective rate was 66.7% in all patients, at 3 months after the block treatment. There was no significant difference in the reduction of medication use value of >50% and the effective rates between the two groups. There were no intracranial hemorrhage, infection or other serious adverse effects in either groups. CONCLUSION: CT-guided gasserian ganglion block with local anesthetics and steroids can be an effective and safe technique to relieve the pain of acute/subacute zoster-related trigeminal neuralgia.