Treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia with gamma knife: a report of 87 cases / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of gamma knife for the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia Methods An analysis of 87 cases with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia treated by gamma knife in our department in the past 5 years was performed In all cases, 4 mm isocenter was targeted at the proximal nerve at the root entry zone located by MRI The target dose varied from 70-90 Gy Results After a follow up of 6-67 months, complete relief of pain occurred in 66 patients (75 9%), 50%-90% relief in 18(20 7%), relief less than 50% in 2(2 3%) but no relief in 1(1 1%) Repeated radiosurgery was performed in 2 patients (2 3%) with recurrent pain After the second radiosurgical procedure, complete relief of pain was found in the 2 patients Two patients(2 3%) experienced facial numbness after radiosurgical procedure Conclusion Gamma knife radiosurgery is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia with few complications Repeated radiosurgical procedure may result in relief of pain, but the long term outcome of gamma knife surgery for trigeminal neuralgia needs to be further studied