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Case Reports
. 2022 May 8;16(1):183.
doi: 10.1186/s13256-022-03393-9.

Autologous conditioned serum (Orthokine) injection for treatment of classical trigeminal neuralgia: results of a single-center case series

Dawood Aghamohammadi  1 , Shahrzad Sharifi  1 , Seyed Kazem Shakouri  2 , Yashar Eslampour  1 , Neda Dolatkhah  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Autologous conditioned serum (Orthokine) injection for treatment of classical trigeminal neuralgia: results of a single-center case series

Dawood Aghamohammadi et al. J Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Background: Despite some advances, treatment of trigeminal neuralgia remains a significant challenge. This study determines the efficacy and safety of autologous conditioned serum (Orthokine) injection into the foramen oval to treat refractory trigeminal neuralgia.

Case presentation: This is a consecutive case series from the Pain and Palliative Care Department of Imam Reza University Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Eleven Iranian patients, eligible according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, aged 45.64 ± 11.58 years (Four male and seven female, all Iranian) with established classical trigeminal neuralgia were injected with Orthokine (2 mL per injection) once a week for three consecutive weeks (total of four injections). Numeric rating scale scores for facial pain intensity and also carbamazepine daily dose were confirmed at pretreatment (T0) and at week 1 (T1), week 2 (T2), week 3 (T3), week 4 (T4), and month 2 (T5) posttreatment. Pain intensity was significantly reduced in the first 3 weeks of follow-up in comparison with baseline (T0 to T3) (8.18 ± 1.99 to 2.82 ± 2.13, p < 0.001), an effect that was retained at week 4 (T4) and month 2 (T5) follow-ups (2.82 ± 2.13 to 3.36 ± 2.69, p = 0.886). Carbamazepine consumption was significantly reduced in the first 3 weeks of follow-up in comparison with baseline (T0 to T3) (636.36 ± 307.48 to 200.00 ± 296.64, p = 0.003), an effect that was retained at week 4 and month 2 follow-ups (200.00 ± 296.64 to 200.00 ± 282.84, p = 0.802). There were no serious adverse events in participants.

Conclusion: Orthokine injection led to consistent pain relief and reduced carbamazepine dosage in patients with trigeminal neuralgia, with acceptable safety.

Keywords: Autologous conditioned serum; Numeric rating scale; Trigeminal neuralgia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Needle insertion and advancing into the foramen ovale
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Fluoroscopic image of Orthokine injection
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Pain intensity in participants throughout the study
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Carbamazepine consumption in participants throughout the study
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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