OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of sphenopalatine ganglion needling in treating patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) of Liver (Gan)-yang upsurge syndrome (LYUS) type.

METHODSSixty-five PTN patients of LYUS type were assigned by a random number table to two groups and treated by deep-needling (33 patients, DN group) and superficial-needling (32 patients, SN group), respectively. The main-acupoint used for both groups was Xiaguan (ST7) of affected side, on which needle was deeply inserted to reach spheno-palatine ganglion in the DN group, but was inserted conventionally in the SN group; the auxiliary acupoints used were the local points Cuanzhu (BL2), Sibai (ST2), Chengjiang (CV24) of affected side, as well as the remote points, bilateral Hegu (LI4) and Taichong (LR3). The needling was implemented every other day, with electric stimulation applied to all the punctured acupoints for 30 min, 10 days treatment as one therapeutic course. Each patient received 2 courses of needling with 1 week interval in between. The clinical efficacy, pain control and adverse reaction were evaluated and compared after the treatment.

RESULTSRank-sum test showed that the efficacy in the DN group was significantly better than that in the SN group (Z =2.30, P=0.021); the pain was alleviated in both groups in frequency, intensity and sustained time (evaluated by visual analogue scale) significantly (P<0.01), but deep needling showed a superiority over superficial needling in reducing the frequency and intensity of episode (Z=9.55, Z=5.50, both P=0.00). No adverse reaction occurred during the treatment course of both groups.

CONCLUSIONSpheno-palatine ganglion needling is highly effective, safe and reliable for the treatment of PTN.