title: Neuronavigator-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although radiofrequency thermocoagulation is considered as a primary treatment for most patients with trigeminal neuralgia, neuronavigator-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation has been rarely reported. The object of this study was to assess the clinical value of neuronavigator-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The radiofrequency thermocoagulation was performed in 100 cases of trigeminal neuralgia. The patients were positioned supine or sitting, under Hartel's technique (reported by Sweet and Wepsic J Neurosurg 40:143-156, 1974), by anterior lateral facial approaches. The Gasserian ganglions were acupunctured, assisted by intraoperative CT scanning (3-digital reconstruction) and electrophysiology in order to accurately locate target.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The needles located in oval foramen at the first puncture, the direction and position could be defined according to the electrophysiology examination. The pain alleviated immediately after operation. There occurred no serious complication and other nerve injury in all patients despite face numbness only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D-CT and electrophysiology Gasser's ganglion locations can raise the success rate of puncture, enhance the safety and reduce the incidence of complication, showing high academic value and its promising future.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, XinHua Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 200092 Shanghai, China. zhangwench88@hotmail.com
authors: W C
authors: WC
authors: Zhang
authors: W X
authors: WX
authors: Zhong
authors: S T
authors: ST
authors: Li
authors: X S
authors: XS
authors: Zheng
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Yang
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Shi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D038361:Neuronavigation; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000601:surgery*