title: Electromagnetic navigation-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation in trigeminal neuralgia: technical note with three case reports.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To introduce our device and procedure of electromagnetic navigation (EMN)-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN).
  
  
  METHODS
  The EMN system mainly consists of an electromagnetic localizer, a thermoplastic facial mask with fiducial markers, and navigation software. A new surgical interface in which the foramen ovale (FO) and the trigeminal ganglion (TG) were integrated was used. It was applied in three patients with TN.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FO was successfully and accurately cannulated on the first attempt by using EMN guidance. During the follow-up period, pain did not reoccur, and appropriate trigeminal sensory paresthesia was elicited. There were no surgery-related complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EMN system is effective and highly accurate for RFT in patients with primary TN. Our modification of the registration system and surgical interface could make the RFT process more simple and accurate.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
authors: Min-Jie
authors: MJ
authors: Chen
authors: Li-Xu
authors: LX
authors: Gu
authors: Wei-Jie
authors: WJ
authors: Zhang
authors: Chi
authors: C
authors: Yang
authors: Min-Jun
authors: MJ
authors: Dong
mesh_terms: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003199:Computer Systems; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D008875:Middle Aged; D038361:Neuronavigation / Q000379:methods*; D011846:Radio Waves; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D002220:Carbamazepine