title: Results of selective percutaneous controlled radiofrequency lesion for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in 240 patients.
abstract: Trigeminal neuralgia may be treated in several ways. In the present study, the efficacy of a selective percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) neurolysis in the gasserian ganglion was evaluated in 240 patients. The recurrence rate after a single treatment was 28.3% within 2 years. After multiple treatments (n = 68), the recurrence rate had decreased to 8.3% (n = 20). Thus, the overall success rate at the end of the follow-up period was 91.7%. The mean follow-up period was 50 months (range 12-96 months). Except for corneal anesthesia in 3.7% of the patients, no serious complications occurred.
authors.affiliation: Spaarne Hospital, Haarlem, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Henny
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*