[Algological treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Experience of 15 years].
BACKGROUND
We present the experience in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) during 15 years in one institute, evaluating epidemiological variables and clinical presentation, and comparing the results obtained with different treatments available.


METHODS
A retrospective, descriptive study was carried out by reviewing cases diagnosed by the Neurology Service, such as TN, and treated by the Pain Medicine and Palliative Care Unit of the Insituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición "Salvador Zubíran," from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2003. Age, sex, type of neuralgia, anatomical site affected and intensity of pain were evaluated by means of the Analogue Visual Scale (AVS). The following treatments were evaluated (pharmacologic, surgical, and blockade of Gasser ganglion). Descriptive statistics, linear regression and bivariate correlation were used (statistical package SPSS).


RESULTS
Fifty two cases were studied with a female predominance (2:1). Average age was 60 years. Clinical presentation most frequently was typical neuralgia (51.9%), right predominance (59.6%) and affected branch V2 (50%). In 88%, pharmacological treatment was used. The reduction of pain was 74% in all cases, with r-.765 for the pharmacological treatment, r-.715 in the blockade of the Gasser ganglion, and r-.901 for surgical treatment (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
In the experience of the INCMNSZ, treatment of choice in most cases of TN is pharmacological, with surgical treatment useful in cases where vascular alterations were identified.
Delgado-Carlo
Mirna Magali
MM
Clínica del Dolor y Cuidados Paliativos, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas de la Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Médico Adscrito y Titular del Curso de Posgrado Universitario de Anestesiología, ISSSTE, Zaragoza. magalidcarlo@yahoo.com.mx
Tamayo-Valenzuela
Antonio César
AC
López-Martínez
José Antonio
JA
Cardona-Cordero
Alma Verónica
AV
Granja-Posadas
Enrique
E
Guevara-López
Uriah
U
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods; D018710:Pain Clinics; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000601:surgery; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000628:therapy*
D000700:Analgesics