title: Simple determination of the foramen in trigeminus coagulation.
abstract: The object is to achieve a high degree of precision in the determination of the foramen ovale in managing trigeminus neuralgia stereotactically as well as by free-hand penetrations. We carried out exact measurements on lateral skull x-rays of 55 corpses and 25 patients. With the aid of a design and several plain x-ray films we drew connecting-lines between fixed, easily determined points of the skull. The middle of the foramen ovale coincides with the dissecting point of these 3 co-ordinates, the maximal deviation of 2 mm is clinically negligible compared with the total width of the foramen. The average distance of the foramen from the midline as measured on the basic projection is 2.8 cm +/- 2 mm. The puncture technique and the thermocontrolled coagulation of the trigeminus branches are discussed.
mesh_terms: D005539:Foramen Magnum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011859:Radiography; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000601:surgery*