SRN Hospital Uses Advanced Technique to Treat Rare Facial Pain Disorder in Young Woman

Prayagraj : In a remarkable medical achievement, a young woman suffering from a rare and excruciating facial pain condition for over two years found relief at Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital (SRN), Prayagraj, through a cutting-edge pain management technique.

The 23-year-old patient had been experiencing unbearable pain on one side of her face, often described as electric shock-like jolts. The intensity of the pain severely impacted her daily life. Upon examination by the Department of Neurosurgery, she was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia, a condition so severe it is often referred to as the "suicide disease" due to the level of distress it causes patients.

Trigeminal Neuralgia occurs when a blood vessel or tumor compresses the trigeminal nerve, leading to intense facial pain. In this case, imaging revealed a lesion pressing on the trigeminal nerve—a condition not easily managed by standard medications.

The patient was then referred to the Pain Clinic at Motilal Nehru Medical College, where Dr. Abhijeet Mohite, an Interventional Pain Physician, took charge of the case. After evaluation, Dr. Mohite recommended a minimally invasive procedure called Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA).

The technique involves guiding a specialized needle through the foramen ovale—a natural opening at the base of the skull—into the brain area where the trigeminal ganglion resides. Using targeted radiofrequency waves, the nerve tissue responsible for the pain is selectively disabled, providing immediate relief.

“This method is usually available in major metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru,” said Dr. Mohite. “For the first time, we have successfully implemented it in Prayagraj, offering hope to patients suffering from chronic nerve pain without having to travel long distances.”

The procedure was completed without complications, and the patient experienced instant relief from her two-year-long agony. Doctors report that she has resumed normal activities and continues to recover well, with no recurrence of severe pain.

This breakthrough represents a milestone for Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital and Motilal Nehru Medical College, marking their entry into advanced neuro-interventional pain management. The success also highlights the growing capability of regional healthcare institutions in adopting techniques previously limited to elite urban centers.

Hospital officials and medical experts view this as the beginning of a new era in chronic pain management in eastern Uttar Pradesh. They aim to make such interventional treatments more accessible to the broader population, reducing dependence on overburdened metro hospitals.

The achievement not only underscores the medical talent at SRN Hospital but also reinforces the urgent need to expand state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure in semi-urban and rural India.