A retrospective, single-center, observational study sought to examine the risk factors associated with the recurrence of postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia (PHTN) after computed tomography-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation as well as to develop a predictive model for recurrence.

A retrospective analysis of 76 subjects experiencing PHTN was done. All the participants underwent extracranial nonsemilunar segment radiofrequency therapy. Utilizing the Kaplan-Meier method,  survival analysis was executed. The log-rank test was also used. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to assess clinical factors influencing the recurrence of PHTN. Additionally, a model for predicting recurrence was developed.

Subjects were monitored for a duration of 12 months. Univariate analysis revealed that disease duration and age were factors impacting the recurrence of PHTN following extracranial nonsemilunar ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression assessment, disease duration and age emerged as independent influencing factors.

The recurrence risk function model was articulated as follows: H(t) = h0exp (1.116 X1 + 1.340 X2), with X2 denoting disease duration and X1 denoting age. The model's likelihood ratio was examined, revealing a statistically significant value of 195.776.

A short duration of illness and a younger age contributed to a decreased likelihood of recurrence following extracranial nonsemilunar ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation in individuals suffering from PHTN. The established prediction model for recurrence may serve as a valuable reference for treatment and clinical diagnosis.