Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40065877›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block Using the Tx360 Nasal Applicator for Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Prospective Observational Pilot Study.

Christina Orfanou, Adamantia Gkaniou, Martina Rekatsina, Aliki Tympa Grigoriadou, Aikaterini Melemeni, Maria Kouri, Abraham Pouliakis, Athanasia Tsaroucha

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Christina Orfanou1st Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Aretaieion University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC.
Adamantia Gkaniou1st Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Aretaieion University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC.
Martina Rekatsina1st Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Aretaieion University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC.
Aliki Tympa Grigoriadou1st Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Aretaieion University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC.
Aikaterini Melemeni1st Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Aretaieion University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC.
Maria KouriDepartment of Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology and Hospital Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC.
Abraham Pouliakis2nd Department of Pathology, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC.
Athanasia Tsaroucha1st Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Aretaieion University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic condition characterized by sudden, short episodes of excruciating facial pain affecting one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve (V), which severely impacts patients' quality of life. Despite the availability of various treatment options, some cases experience poor pain control. Sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block using the Tx360 nasal applicator has recently been introduced with promising results as a treatment option in such cases. Materials and methods Fifteen adult patients of both sexes suffering from classical or atypical TN involving the maxillary (V2) or mandibular (V3) branches, either partially or completely drug-resistant, with a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score of 8-9 despite drug treatment, were enrolled in the study. For six weeks, every seven days, they underwent bilateral SPG block with the Tx360 device (Tian Medical Inc., Lombard, Illinois), receiving 0.3 cc of 2% lidocaine in each block. During the subsequent twelve weeks, patients were followed up monthly, and data regarding TN-related pain symptoms were collected using the verbal rating scale and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results All participants exhibited a continuous and significant decrease in NRS scores at each visit during the first six weeks and up to one month after the final SPG block. Subsequently, NRS scores remained stable over the following two months. Significant improvements were noted in all patients in physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, pain, and general health, as assessed through the SF-36. Discussion Our results align with studies of a similar design demonstrating favorable effects of SPG block in various types of head and neck pain, including TN. Conclusion Repetitive SPG block with 2% lidocaine administered via the Tx360 device resulted in clinical improvement, significantly reducing NRS scores for a three-month period in patients with TN when used as an add-on to standard treatment. This treatment technique was simple, effective, and not associated with significant adverse effects.

Indexed as

neuropathic painoro-facial painsf-36sphenopalatine ganglion blocktrigeminal neuralgia

Identifiers

PMID40065877
PMCPMC11891945

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.