title: [Effects of radiofrequency thermocoagulation on trigeminal ganglions in rabbits].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the histological effects of different temperatures and durations of radiofrequency on the trigeminal ganglions in rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Trigeminal ganglions of 80 rabbits were treated by R-2000B RF thermocoagulation at 60, 70, 80°C respectively and the thermal electrode of 50 mm long and 0.4 mm in diameter. The treaded trigeminal ganglions were removed for HE (hematoxylin & eosin) dying at Days 1, 7, 14 and 28. And the expressions of neurofilament protein (NF200), acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) and muscarinic receptors (M-receptor) were observed after an immunohistochemical detection of HE positive samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The positive manifestations of HE were degeneration of trigeminal ganglionic cells, the distribution of nerve fibers and a loss of myelinic membrane. The positive features of immunohistochemistry were as follows: NF200: dark yellow-brown particles within cytoplasm of ganglionic cells and nerve fibers cells; ACHE: deep yellow-brown particles within cytoplasm of ganglion cells and nerve fibers cells; M-receptor: yellow-brown particles within cytoplasm of ganglionic cells and nerve fibers cells. The expressions of NF200, ACHE and M-receptor increased while the temperature and radio frequency time remained constant. There was no significant difference between the expression rates of NF200, ACHE, M receptor at the same temperature for 1 and 3 minutes (P > 0.05). When treated for the same time, the expressions of NF200, ACHE and M receptor decreased more significantly at 70°C versus 60°C (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between 70°C and 80°C (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  70°C may be a suitable temperature at which radiofrequency causes the greatest harm to trigeminal ganglions so that nerve activity decreases significantly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Taixing Hospital of Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China. yinhm97@sohu.com
authors.forename: Hong-mei
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: An-bao
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase