Percutaneous Procedures for the Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Joanna Y Wang; Matthew T Bender; Chetan Bettegowda

doi:10.1016/j.nec.2016.02.005

Percutaneous Procedures for the Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2016 Jul;27(3):277-95. doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2016.02.005.

Authors

Joanna Y Wang¹, Matthew T Bender¹, Chetan Bettegowda²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Phipps 118, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
² Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Phipps 118, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: cbetteg1@jhmi.edu.

PMID: 27324995
DOI: 10.1016/j.nec.2016.02.005

Abstract

Three major percutaneous procedures are currently used to treat trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Percutaneous balloon compression, glycerol rhizotomy, and radiofrequency thermocoagulation interrupt afferent pain fibers by injury to the trigeminal nerve root or ganglion. Each is capable of offering immediate and durable pain relief. Each is associated with relatively low, but variable rates of complications. Patient heterogeneity, technical variation, and nonstandard outcomes plague the existing outcomes literature and limit comparisons of treatments. Rendering treatment selection a function of individual physician preference and practice patterns. Randomized, prospective trials are needed; in the meantime, percutaneous rhizotomy remains an excellent treatment for selected patients.

Keywords: Rhizotomy; Treatment; Trigeminal neuralgia.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Electrocoagulation / methods*
Humans
Rhizotomy / methods*
Treatment Outcome
Trigeminal Nerve / surgery*
Trigeminal Neuralgia / surgery*