title: Percutaneous controlled thermocoagulation in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
abstract: This study reviews the results and complications of 162 percutaneous thermocoagulations of the gasserian ganglion in 124 patients with typical idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. The mean duration of follow-up observation was 3.7 years (range, 1-6 years). One hundred eighteen of 124 patients continued to show complete pain relief 1 month after the operation, and at the end of follow-up observation, 83 of 124 patients (67%) continued to enjoy complete pain relief (recurrence rate, 28.2%). Anesthesia dolorosa occurred in 3% of cases, dysesthesia in 3%, and paresthesia in 17%; neuroparalytic keratitis with permanent reduction of visual acuity was observed in 2% of cases, permanent diplopia in 1%, permanent hearing deficit in 3%, and permanent impairment of mastication in 3%. We compare thermocoagulation with other surgical procedures (microvascular decompression, glycerol injection, and percutaneous decompression) used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
authors: Institute of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Verona, School of Medicine, Ospedale Policlinico, Italy.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Ischia
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Luzzani
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Polati
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ischia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003714:Denervation; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D005990:Glycerol