Early recurrence from stereotactic aspiration of a colloid cyst of the third ventricle.

The case of a 66 year old woman who underwent successful stereotactic aspiration of a symptomatic colloid cyst of the third ventricle, but who had recurrence after only 5 weeks, is presented. Stereotactic aspiration is a well established technique for the treatment of colloid cysts, however disagreement exists regarding its efficacy. Two factors, both from pre-operative CT, help to predict success from aspiration: the cyst's density and size. The literature reports that recurrence after successful stereotactic aspiration should not occur for many years.

A 20-year review of percutaneous balloon compression of the trigeminal ganglion.

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to investigate outcomes and complication rates associated with percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) of the trigeminal ganglion over a long follow-up period. METHODS: This retrospective review was conducted in 496 patients with typical symptoms of unilateral trigeminal neuralgia who underwent 531 PBCs of the trigeminal ganglion between 1980 and 1999. The mean length of follow up was 10.7 years. The treatment used was a modification of that first described by Mullan and Lichtor in 1983. There were nine technical failures. Of the 522 successful procedures, prompt pain relief ensued in all patients except one. Recurrence of pain was found in 95 patients (19.2%) within 5 years and in 158 patients (31.9%) over the entire study period. Symptomatic dysesthesias occurred in 19 patients (3.8%), but corneal anesthesia and anesthesia dolorosa did not. CONCLUSIONS: In this review the authors present data on the largest cohort of patients with the longest follow up for this procedure in the current literature. The balance between the recurrence rate and troublesome sensory complications achieved in this series is favorable when compared with previously published studies on outcomes of PBC and the two alternative percutaneous methods, radiofrequency thermocoagulation and glycerol rhizolysis. The PBC procedure has additional advantages in that it is relatively straightforward and quick, and can be performed during a brief period of general anesthesia with no discomfort to the patient. This makes it an attractive first choice in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.