Efficacy of combining silver needle and pulsed radiofrequency at C2 dorsal root ganglion for the treatment of patients with cervicogenic headache

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect by the combination of silver needle and pulsed radiofrequency applied to C2 dorsal root ganglion in the treatment of patients with cervicogenic headache. Methods Eighty-six patients with cervicogenic headache of both sexes, aged 14-71, from October 2013 to August 2015 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, were randomly divided into radiofrequency group (43 cases) and combined group (43 cases). Patients were treated with pulsed radiofrequency at C2 dorsal root ganglion in the radiofrequency group. Silver needle treatment was used after the pulsed radiofrequency at C2 dorsal root ganglion in the combined group. VAS and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were evaluated at 1 day, 3 months and 12 months after the treatment. Results No differences were found in VAS and PPT before the treatment between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with pre-treatment, VAS decreased significantly at 1 day, 3 months, 12 months after the treatment in the two groups (P<0.05). VAS was even lower significantly at 3, 12 months after the treatment in the combined group than that in the radiofrequency group (P<0.05). Compared with pre-treatment, PPT increased significantly at 3, 12 months after the treatment in the two groups (P<0.05). PPT and the effective rate were even higher significantly at 3, 12 months after the treatment in the combined group than those in the radiofrequency group (P<0.05). Conclusion Silver needle and pulsed radiofrequency at C2 dorsal root ganglion is effective in the treatment of patients with cervicogenic headache, and its long-term effect is better than C2 dorsal root ganglion pulse radiofrequency therapy alone. Key words: Acupuncture therapy; Ultrasonography, doppler, pulsed; Radiofrequency; Ganglia, spinal; Headache