Anatomic examination of a case of open trigeminal nucleotomy (nucleus caudalis dorsal root entry zone lesions) for facial pain.
Nucleus caudalis dorsal root entry zone lesions (open trigeminal nucleotomy) are a surgical procedure which can achieve pain control without major complications in the difficult clinical setting of deafferentation-type facial pain. Two patients are reported, who had relief of pain, but also experienced neurological complications. One patient succumbed to pulmonary complications, which provided the opportunity for anatomic analysis of the lesioned area, which is discussed in detail. Potential modifications of the surgical technique are suggested.
Spiegelmann
R
R
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Friedman
W A
WA
Ballinger
W E
WE
Tedeschi
H
H
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D000368:Aged; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000473:pathology; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000601:surgery*