Is Pulsed Radiofrequency of C2 Dorsal Root Ganglion an Option for Tinnitus Treatment?

Authors : Mustafa Kurçaloğlu, Esra Kavaz Uştu, Cemal Yaşar, Firdevs Yılmazlar, Pinar Uzun Uslu, Alaiddin Domaç, Senem Çengel Kurnaz, Özgür Kemal, Fatih Özkan, Fuat Güldoğuş

Pages : 95-100

Doi:10.52827/hititmedj.1541358

View : 36 | Download : 17

Publication Date : 2025-02-25

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: Tinnitus is a chronic problem with low treatment success. Pulsed radiofrequency application (PRF) to the second cervical dorsal root ganglion (C2 DRG) has been suggested as a possible treatment for tinnitus. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of C2 DRG PRF for tinnitus. Material and Method: Patients who underwent C2 DRG PRF treatment due to chronic tinnitus were included in this retrospective study. PRF was performed using a 5 cm length with a 5 mm active tip RF electrode for 4 minutes under a C-arm fluoroscopic view. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) was applied before and one month after the procedure. Significant symptom relief was regarded as a 50% decrease in THI scores at a onemonth check-up visit. Results: A total of 22 patients were included in the study. Mean THI scores before, and one month after the procedure were 42.36±25.43 and 37.31±25.04, respectively (p=0.28). Only one patient (4.5%) had significant symptom relief (p=0.31). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we suggest that PRF of C2 DRG is not an effective and reliable method for chronic tinnitus treatment. Further studies using different interventional techniques and large patient groups may be helpful in the treatment of this persistent complaint.
Keywords : tinnitus, radyofrekans, dorsal kök gangliyonu, işitme kaybı

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