Evidence Hub

Sphenopalatine Ganglion Radiofrequency Ablation for Severe Facial Rosacea Manifestations

Kapural L, Esebua LG, Poddar N, Bekavac C, Yosipovitch G

Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain, 2026

Abstract

Background: Rosacea is an inflammatory, persistent erythema that can present under several clinical subtypes. Recently, a neurogenic type of rosacea has been suggested that can be associated with chronic pain and headaches.

Aims: Here we describe a successful interventional treatment for severe, likely neurogenic rosacea associated with severe migraines previously treated using various conservative approaches.

Materials and methods: Radiofrequency ablation of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) was completed for the patient's primary chronic pain problem, severe migraine headaches.

Results: Completion of the left-sided ganglion denervation resulted in resolution of left facial rosacea symptoms/signs. After the right radiofrequency denervation (about 2 weeks later), rosacea signs/symptoms disappeared from the right side of the patient's face as well. Twelve months following the sphenopalatine radiofrequency ablation, the patient is still rosacea-free.

Conclusion: A larger case series is needed to assess the efficacy of sphenopalatine radiofrequency ablation in long-term management of the facial subtype of rosacea.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free