Percutaneous microballoon compression for trigeminal neuralgia / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

ABSTRACT

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Percutaneous microballoon compression (PMC) for trigeminal neuralgia is an important therapeutic method. The aim of this study was to review the effects of PMC for trigeminal neuralgia in 276 patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From December 2000 to May 2003, 276 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were treated with PMC. The course of the disease ranged from 3 months to 38 years. Under the guidance of C-arm X-ray, 14# needle was placed into the foramen ovale using the classical Hakanson's technique. Fogarty balloon catheter was navigated into the Meckel's cave tenderly. A small amount of Omnipaque was slowly injected to inflate the balloon and compress the trigeminal ganglion for 3 to 10 minutes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 290 PMC were performed on the 276 patients. Among them, 252 had immediate relief from pain. The patients were followed up for a mean of 18.7 months (range, 4 to 32), 14 of them had a recurrence. Of the 14 patients, 12 were re-operated with PMC, and the pain was all controlled successfully.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PMC is an effective and technically simple method for trigeminal neuralgia. For older patients with trigeminal neuralgia, it may be the first choice.</p>