ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of percutaneous micro-balloon compression (PBC) trigeminal ganglion for the treatment refractory trigeminal neuralgia. Methods Surgical results of 452 patients with trigeminal neuralgia treated by PBC from October 2009 to May 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. 125 cases aged over 80 years old and 70 cases′ pain belongs to the first branch neuralgia. Such procedures as Meckle′s cave cannulated with No.4 Forgarty catheter and the balloon inflated and compressed the gasserian ganglion monitored by X-ray were observed by PBC. Follow-up interview and curative effects were recorded. Results The average hospitalization was 6.1 days. Among them, 432(95.6%) cases had immediate relief from pain. The overall pain relief rate was 97.8% in our group without serious surgical complications. Postoperative complications include hemifacial numbness in 385 patients (85.2%), mild masseter muscle weakness in 248 patients (54.9%), diplopia in 2 patients. All symptoms relived or disappeared within 1 ~ 6 months. The average follow-up intervier period is 23.5 months. The recurrence rate is 10.2% (46 cases). Conclusion PBC is a safe and effective method with high pain relief rate in the treatment of refractory trigeminal neuralgia , especially for the treatment of the high risk patients , patients with recurrent symptoms or the patients suffered from the first branch neuralgia.
ABSTRACT
Objective To compare clinical outcome of microvascular decompression (MVD) and percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) by using a prospective cohort study in order to provide a reliable evidence for the clinical decision-making. Methods Patients with trigeminal neuralgia hospitalized at Hangzhou First People′s Hospital in 2010 were chosen as database for cohort study. The patients were divided into MVD group (30 cases) and PBC group (30 cases). The clinical efficacy was followed by independent observers for 36 months after surgery. Chi-square test for hierarchical data, t test for quantitative data, and Kaplan-Meier plot for clinical outcomes were applied in the research. The endpoint was follow-up accomplishment or severe occurrence. Results Sixty patients were included in the research till the endpoint. The general records before surgery were almost the same with the literature records. By comparing painless period, mild and severe relapse, MVD group was superior to PBC group (P < 0.05). As for the painless survival period, MVD group was 96.7% of pain free after 1 year, 93.3% after 3 years, while PBC group was 90.0% after 1 year and 83.3% after 3 years. Regarding 3 years of follow-up, the relapse seemed occurred after 1 year in both groups. Conclusions As a curative and nondestructive procedure , MVD is more effective and has longer lasting pain free period , which should be considered as the first choice of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia in healthy people.