Percutaneous radiofrequency Thermal Rhizotomy for Trigeminal Neuralgia

ABSTRACT

This study was performed to analyze the long-term results of percutaneous radiofrequency thermal rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia. The authors analyzed 193 cases with trigeminal neuralgia which underwent percutaneous radiofrequency thermal rhizotomy documented from March, 1973 to December, 1992. The patients(122 cases) were followed-up for average 6.1 years. Initial pain relief was obtained in 97.4% of the patients with percutaneous thermal rhizotomy. Recurrence of trigeminal pain after surgery was observed in 47 cases(38.5%) during the follow-up period. Surgical complications were as follows; masseter weakness in 7 patients, oculomotor palsy in 1 patient, weakness of the corneal reflex in 10 patients(1 of them requested ocular management) for keratitis, and anesthesia dorosa in 2 patients. These results suggest that percutoneous radiofrequency thermal rhizotomy is a useful therapeutic tool to relieve pain immediately an safely in trigeminal neuralgia.