title: Pathophysiology of trigeminal neuralgia: new evidence from a trigeminal ganglion intraoperative microneurographic recording. Case report.
abstract: The origin of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) appears to be vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve at the root entry zone; however, the physiological mechanism of this disorder remains uncertain. The authors obtained intraoperative microneurographic recordings from trigeminal ganglion neurons in a patient with TN immediately before percutaneous radiofrequency-induced gangliolysis. Their findings are consistent with the idea that the pain of TN is generated, at least in part, by an abnormal discharge within the peripheral nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239-3098, USA.
authors.forename: Kim J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Burchiel
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Baumann
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery