title: [Trigeminal radiofrequency rhizotomy for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: results and technical modification].
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency trigeminal rhizotomy in treating 135 patients harboring trigeminal neuralgia, and to introduce a technical modification to guide the puncture of the foramen ovale. A hundred and one (74.8%) patients were treated with a single surgical procedure whereas the 34 (25.2%) remaining patients required two procedures. Follow-up ranges from 6 months to 15 years. Pain relief in the immediate postoperative was achieved in 131 (97.0%) patients. After the initial procedure, recurrence happened in 33 (24.5%) patients. The complications included decrease corneal reflex (4.4%), masseter paresis (2.2%), painful dysesthesia (1.5%) and anesthesia dolorosa (0.7%). The radiofrequency trigeminal rizhotomy is a low risk, highly effective and minimally invasive procedure. The use of the computerized tomography guided fluoroscopy turns foramen ovale's puncture easier, fast and precise.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Neurocirugia do Hospital Luxemburgo - Belo Horizonte MG, Brasil. gusmao@medicina.ufmg.br
authors.forename: Sebastião
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gusmão
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Magaldi
authors.forename: Aluízio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arantes
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019051:Rhizotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*