Alterations of facial sensitivity induced by percutaneous thermocoagulation for trigeminal neuralgia.
Sixty patients with essential trigeminal neuralgia underwent selective percutaneous thermocoagulation of the gasserian ganglion. Immediate and long-term modifications of pain and tactile facila sensitivity, recurrences of pain, and occurrences of facial paresthesias were evaluated. Pin-prick and von Frey hair tests and somatosensory-evoked potentials were used to study facila sensitivity. Patients with mild alterations of sensitivity-treated with low temperatures of coagulation (60 degrees-70 degrees C)--had a lower incidence of paresthesias, although a higher risk of recurrence. Patients with severe alterations of sensitivity--a consequence of a temperature of coagulation above 70 degrees C--had a high incidence of paresthesias and a low risk of recurrence. In our opinion, the first kind of results are better.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D005145:Face / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000503:physiopathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000601:surgery; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000601:surgery*