Management of trigeminal neuralgia by radiofrequency thermocoagulation

摘要: Abstract Introduction The trigeminal neuralgia (TN) which is resistant to medical treatment has been benefited from many surgical techniques. Opinions differ regarding the best treatment. Objective This study was done evaluate functional results of percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation nerve in a consecutive series 312 patients suffering TN and compare these with other authors reported literature. Methods retrospective included (280 idiopathic TN, 8 secondary or symptomatic 20 atypical 4 post herpetic neuralgia) who underwent nerve. Alexandria main university hospital over period 7 years starting January 2003 December 2009. male female ratio 2 3 (124 males 188 females) their ages ranged 27 100 years mean age 48 years. All had preoperative MRI brain examination. cases surgery form (RFT) affected division divisions under intravenous short acting anesthesia using C-arm radiological guidance. straight temperature monitoring electrode used perform an initial lesion at 60–70 °C for 120 s patient awakened sensory testing, may be repeated same duration if deficit not evident. Also forty two recurrence (30 1 received another lesion. Mean postoperative follow up examination 36 months. Results There no operative mortality. Postoperatively, all immediate pain relief but only 86.5% (270 patients) continuous (250 5 12 neuralgia). After 1 year recurred (13.5%) operation 30 were improved rest shifted modalities. Excellent obtained 64% patients, good 25.5% fair 6.5% poor 4% patients. Conclusion predominant females majority right V3 distribution. outcome depends on type classical type. better occurred isolated affection. low risk, highly effective minimally invasive procedure that should started TN.