| 摘要 |
Although trigeminal neuralgia is a benign disorder, it is lancinating and excruciating during attacks. The exact mechanism of this entity has not been completely elucidated. Many treatments, including pharmacological and surgical approaches, are currently available with varying eddects. From January 2001 to June 2001, eleven patients with trigeminal neuralgia underwent percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the Gasserian ganglion guided by computed tomography. One patient was lost to follow up. At early follow-up, pain relief of excellent, good or fair quality (success rate) was reported by 8 of the 10 remaining patients (success rate: 80%). Pterygoid muscle weakness was seen transiently in one case, and that patient recovered in one week. Three cases (30%) had major facial dysesthesia. There was no anesthesia dolorosa, corneal anesthesia, keratitis or major complications in our series. No recurrence was noted during the short follow-up time (range: 4-9 months). Percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the Gasserian ganglion quided by compured tomography is a safe and effective therapy for patients with trigeminal neuralgia. It has a low morbidity rate and no known mortality. Direct imaging with computed tomography in this procedure allows direct simultaneous visualization of a possible lesion in the posterior fossa and the correct electrode position. |
