Foramen ovale cannulation guided by intra-operative computed tomography with integrated neuronavigation for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

2011 ◽  
Vol 153 (8) ◽  
pp. 1593-1599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Hsiu-Chu Lin ◽  
Ming-Hsueh Lee ◽  
Ting-Chung Wang ◽  
Yu-Kai Cheng ◽  
Chen-Hsing Su ◽  
...  
Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Seçil Aksoy ◽  
Arzu Sayın Şakul ◽  
Durmuş İlker Görür ◽  
Bayram Ufuk Şakul ◽  
Kaan Orhan

The study aimed to establish and evaluate anatomoradiological landmarks in trigeminal neuralgia patients using computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam CT. CT images of 40 trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and 40 healthy individuals were retrospectively analyzed and enrolled in the study. The width and length of the foramen rotundum (FR), foramen ovale (FO), foramen supraorbitale, and infraorbitale were measured. The distances between these foramen, between these foramen to the median plane, and between the superior orbital fissure, FO, and FR to clinoid processes were also measured bilaterally. Variations were evaluated according to groups. Significant differences were found for width and length of the foramen ovale, length of the foramen supraorbitale, and infraorbitale between TN and control subjects (p < 0.05). On both sides, FO gets narrower and the length of the infraorbital and supraorbital foramen shortens in the TN group. In most of the control patients, the plane which passes through the infraorbital and supraorbital foramen intersects with impression trigeminale; 70% on the right-side, and 67% in the left-side TN groups. This plane does not intersect with impression trigeminale and deviates in certain degrees. The determination of specific landmarks allows customization to individual patient anatomy and may help the surgeon achieve a more selective effect with a variety of percutaneous procedures in trigeminal neuralgia patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. E117-E121
Author(s):  
Bradley T Schmidt ◽  
Conrad D Pun ◽  
Wendell B Lake ◽  
Daniel K Resnick

Abstract Background Percutaneous glycerol rhizotomy (PGR) is a well-described treatment for trigeminal neuralgia; however, the technique in using surface landmarks and fluoroscopy has not drastically changed since being first introduced. In this paper, we describe a protocol for PGR using computed tomography (CT) guidance based on an experience of over 7 yr and 200 patients. Objective To introduce an approach for PGR using CT guidance and, in doing so, demonstrate possible benefits over the traditional fluoroscopic technique. Methods Using a standard CT scanner, patients are placed supine with head in extension. Barium paste and a CT scout image are used to identify and plan a trajectory to the foramen ovale. A laser localization system built into the CT scanner helps to guide placement of the spinal needle into the foramen ovale. The needle position in the foramen is confirmed with a short-sequence CT scan. Results CT-guided PGR provides multiple benefits over standard fluoroscopy, including improved visualization of the skull base and significant reduction in radiation exposure to the surgeon and staff. Side benefits include improved procedure efficiency, definitive imaging evidence of correct needle placement, and potentially increased patient safety. We have had no significant complications in over 200 patients. CONCLUSION CT-guided PGR is a useful technique for treating trigeminal neuralgia based on better imaging of the skull base, better efficiency of the procedure, and elimination of radiation exposure for the surgeon and staff compared to traditional fluoroscopic based techniques.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (22;4) ◽  
pp. E345-E350
Author(s):  
Sung Hyun Lee

Background: For patients with trigeminal neuralgia who do not respond to medication and for whom surgical approaches are too risky, percutaneous procedures targeting the trigeminal ganglion are the current standard treatment. Percutaneous procedures are performed via the transoval approach under radiologic guidance. Identification of the foramen ovale (FO) under fluoroscopic guidance is an important part of determining the success or failure of the procedures. Objectives: Previous studies have described how to visualize the FO under fluoroscopic guidance, but those methods are limited by poor reproducibility. In this study, we have investigated how to visualize the FO clearly and easily under fluoroscopic guidance. Study Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: University hospital in Korea. Methods: Seventy-two 3-dimensional facial computed tomography scans without anatomic abnormalities of the skull base were analyzed for verifying the novel method. First, the mandibular angle and the occipital cortical line were overlapped and then turned by 15° oblique rotation using the software package. After these manipulations, the visualization of the FO was graded according to a 4-point scale (0: poor; 1: fair; 2: good; 3: excellent), and the inferior transfacial and oblique angles were measured. Results: This enabled clear visualization of the FO. The mean visual grade of 54 right and 46 left FO (total 100) was 2.74 (0: poor; 1: fair; 2: good; 3: excellent). All recorded FOs had at least grade 2 visibility. Limitations: This study is lacking application in clinical practice and comparative data to the submental view. Conclusions: The mandible angle and the occipital cortex line are obvious anatomic landmarks and are visible even to nonexperienced practitioners. Therefore, our method using these anatomic landmarks can improve the reproducibility and accuracy of FO visualization. Key words: Trigeminal neuralgia, foramen ovale, trigeminal ganglion, 3-dimensional (3D) facial computed tomography (CT) scans


1974 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
William H. Sweet ◽  
James G. Wepsic

✓ The authors report their experience in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia with controlled increments of radiofrequency heating from an electrode placed in the Gasserian ganglion or its posterior rootlets. Touch is preserved in some or all of a trigeminal zone rendered analgesic. The electrode tip is introduced through the foramen ovale and placed among the desired rootlets with the help of a combination of radiographs and the conscious patient's response to electrical stimulation with a square wave signal and gentle electrical heating. The degree of heat is measured by a thermister at the electrode tip. The patient's cooperation is maintained by the use of the neurolept anesthetic Innovar and the production of brief unconsciousness for the painful parts of the operation by methohexital (Brevital). Of 274 patients with facial pain so treated, 214 had trigeminal neuralgia; 91% of the latter group experienced relief of pain and 125 followed for 2½ to 6 years had a recurrence rate of 22%. In a total of 353 procedures, there has been no mortality and no neurological morbidity outside the trigeminal nerve. Only six of the patients with trigeminal neuralgia have complained significantly of postoperative paresthesias. The most serious undesired result has been the production of an anesthetic cornea in 28 patients, one of whom lost the sight of one eye due to corneal scarring. Correlating findings in our patients with those in studies by other authors, we conclude that the preservation of some touch is due to resistance to heating by the heavily myelinated A-beta fibers.


2021 ◽  
pp. 160-162
Author(s):  
John R. Mills

A 62-year-old man with a history of migraine came to the emergency department with sudden onset of horizontal diplopia and, subsequently, bilateral ptosis. He noted feeling unsteady when walking. He reported that the diplopia worsened throughout the day. He had a history of hepatitis C infection. He had some vision loss in his left eye, which was thought to relate to a retinopathy. He disclosed that he had a history of cold feet and had notably high arches. He had a pacemaker because of syncope attributed to sick sinus syndrome. Computed tomography angiography of the head and neck were ruled negative for intracranial stenosis, occlusions, or aneurysms. Computed tomography of the head indicated a tiny lacunar infarct in the right caudate head. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain identified a tiny, periaqueductal, enhancing abnormality in the right midbrain that was thought to be likely ischemic, but there was some concern for a demyelinating or inflammatory lesion. Cerebrospinal fluid evaluation indicated an increased protein concentration. Serologic evaluation for myasthenia gravis striational antibodies were positive at a titer of 1:240. Serum protein studies indicated the presence of polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. Myasthenia gravis was effectively ruled out. Given the hyperacute time course, the patient’s clinical disorder was most probably explained by an ischemic stroke that affected the oculomotor nuclei regions causing ptosis and ophthalmoparesis. On follow-up, the patient was discovered to have a patent foramen ovale. Whether the patent foramen ovale was a contributing factor to the stroke is uncertain. The recurrence rate in this setting is thought to be low relative to other causes of stroke. Ultimately it was decided to not close the patent foramen ovale and to maintain the patient on clopidogrel and adult low-dose aspirin. The onset of diplopia is typically sudden, but this occurs exclusively with vascular pathologic processes. Diplopia that appears intermittently with diurnal variation suggests the possibility of a neuromuscular junction disease such as myasthenia gravis.


Pain Medicine ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1551-1558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhigang Guo ◽  
Zhijia Wang ◽  
Kai Li ◽  
Chao Du ◽  
Xingli Zhao ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Patients with trigeminal neuralgia who are refractory to medical therapy may choose to undergo Gasserian ganglion percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation. However, in cases where the foramen ovale is difficult to access due to various anatomical anomalies, the typical estimation of the facial entry point is suboptimal. Methods Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction imaging performed before surgery revealed anatomical variations in each of the four adult patient cases that made it more difficult to successfully access the foramen ovale (FO) for percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation. Using measurements collected from preoperative imaging that showed each specific anatomical variation in the FO, researchers marked alternate facial entry points that would allow successful probe placement into the FO and recorded the arc angle data in the stereotactic instrument. Results Patients were evaluated during follow-up visits ranging from seven to 26 months after surgery and asked to rate postoperative pain using a visual analog scale. These scores decreased from 10 to 3 in all four patients by the third day after the procedure. There were no permanent complications or morbidities from the surgery. One patient experienced mild facial numbness; however, this side effect subsided within three months after surgery. During the follow-up period, no patient reported pain recurrence. Conclusions The expectation for clinicians approaching trigeminal nerve block using a peri-oral approach should be to expect a great degree of potential variability in terms of both distances from the corner of the mouth and needle angle taken to successfully navigate the anatomy and access the foramen ovale.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document