Impact of radiosurgery on the surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
BACKGROUND
The history of the development of current available techniques to treat TN was reviewed.


METHODS
The largest peer-reviewed publications on the surgical treatment of refractory TN were analyzed, considering the pros and cons of each technique. Results of modern peer-reviewed radiosurgery series were presented, taking into consideration the approach of each research article. Radiation doses and targets for radiosurgery were discussed to maximize the understanding of this technique.


RESULTS
It is concluded that radiosurgery is the least invasive modality with the fewest side effects, although, to match the results of the competing techniques, a substantial number of patients still need some medication intake.


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies determining the ideal target and radiation dose may bring radiosurgery results to the level of the ones achieved with microvascular decompression, currently considered the gold-standard method.
Gorgulho
Alessandra A
AA
Division of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. agorgulho@mednet.ucla.edu
De Salles
Antonio A F
AA
D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000601:surgery*