A Case of Trigeminal Neuralgia Treated with Percutaneous Radiofrequency Lesions

ABSTRACT

The radiofrequency has been used for percutaneous cordotomy in patient having intractable pain. Recently the use of this radiofrequency has been extended to include other neurosurgical procedures, which in the past were done with chemical agents or mechanical methods etc. We treated one case of trigeminal neuralgia with the radiofrequency. The gasserian ganglion was punctured through the foramen ovale using a modified Hartel technique and the radiofrequency lesion was made in the second and third branches of the right trigeminal nerve selectively. The postoperative result was satisfactory. We reviewed the literature and described the technical procedures and complications.