Radiofrequency Ablation of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography for Intractable Cluster Headache.

UNLABELLED: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) has been shown to be an effective modality of treatment for patients with intractable chronic cluster headaches (CHs). While the use of fluoroscopy for RFA of the SPG is common, to our knowledge there are no documented cases of procedures using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for image guidance. We present a case report of a patient suffering from chronic intractable CH with complete long-lasting relief after RFA of the SPG using CBCT. The case reaffirms the potential efficacy of RFA of the SPG in a case of chronic cluster headache as well as the use of CBCT as a superior alternative to bi-plane fluoroscopy for image guidance in the management of chronic CH.

KEY WORDS: Cone beam computed tomography, sphenopalatine ganglion block, cluster headache, interventional pain, autonomic cephalalgia, radiofrequency ablation.