title: A method for intraoperative microneurographic recording of unitary activity in the trigeminal ganglion of patients with trigeminal neuralgia.
abstract: The etiology of trigeminal neuralgia appears to be vascular compression of the nerve at the root entry zone. However, the physiologic mechanism of trigeminal neuralgia remains uncertain. To gain insight into the pathophysiology of the disorder, we developed a method for intraoperative microneurographic recordings from the trigeminal ganglion of patients with trigeminal neuralgia. The recordings are performed immediately prior to standard percutaneous trigeminal gangliolysis for pain relief. Spontaneous or evoked single- and multi-unit action potential activity can be recorded and the location of receptive fields determined. The method should facilitate the testing of hypotheses concerning the origin of this unique pain disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, L472, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA. baumannt@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: Kim J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Burchiel
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D018780:Body Surface Potential Mapping; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D007568:Jaw / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008839:Microelectrodes / Q000600:supply & distribution; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery