Stereotactic Approach Combined with 3D CT Reconstruction for Difficult-to-Access Foramen Ovale on Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation of the Gasserian Ganglion for Trigeminal Neuralgia

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.

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Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation Through Foramen Rotundum Versus Foramen Ovale for the Treatment of V2 Trigeminal Neuralgia

January 2018 - Pain Physician ◽

10.36076/ppj/2019.22.e609 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (22;6) ◽

pp. E609-E614

Author(s):

Cong-yang Yan

Keyword(s):

Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽

Facial Pain ◽

Operation Time ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Gasserian Ganglion ◽

Internal Opening ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Maxillary Nerve ◽

Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation ◽

Foramen Rotundum

Background: Percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation through the foramen rotundum (FR) is a new approach for the treatment of V2 trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of the FR approach with that of the foramen ovale (FO) approach. Study Design: Nonrandomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: The study was conducted at Huaian Hospital of Huaian City, Huaian, China. Methods: From July 2014 to December 2016, 80 consecutive patients with V2 TN were prospectively assigned into the FO group (n = 40) or the FR group (n = 40). All radiofrequency thermocoagulation procedures were performed under the guidance of digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Patients in the FO group were treated with Gasserian ganglion ablation through the Hartel approach. Patients in the FR group received ablation of the maxillary nerve at the internal opening of the FR. Facial pain was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 week, 6 months, and 1 year. Results: All surgical procedures were successfully completed using DSA guidance. The FR group had no facial pain at postoperative 1 week, 6 months, and 1 year. The facial fain was not relieved in 4 patients of the FO group. They were treated with radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the maxillary nerve through the FR and maintained painless at postoperative 1 week, 6 months, and 1 year. At postoperative 1 year, another 3 patients relapsed in the FO group. The incidences of facial numbness and swelling did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). There was no postoperative corneal involvement or masticatory weakness in the FR group. However, corneal involvement and masticatory weakness occurred postoperatively in 22 (55%) patients and 31 (77.5%) patients in the FO group. The FR group had significantly shorter operation time than the FO group (19.3 ± 5.9 vs. 32.7 ± 8.7 minutes; P < 0.05). Limitations: We were unable to avoid the V1 and V3 branches, despite multiple adjustments of the needed position in 35 of the 40 patients in this group. Conclusions: For the treatment of V2 TN, thermocoagulation of the maxillary nerve through the FR had better efficacy and fewer complications in comparison with the Gasserian ganglion ablation through the FO

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Extracranial Non-Gasserian Ganglion Application of Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation on the Mandibular Branch of the Trigeminal through the Foramen Ovale for Trigeminal Neuralgia

January 2018 - Pain Physician ◽

10.36076/ppj.2021.24.e425 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. E424-E432

Keyword(s):

Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Long Term Results ◽

Transverse Diameter ◽

Gasserian Ganglion ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Ct Guided ◽

Radiofrequency Treatment ◽

Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation ◽

Mandibular Branch

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the trigeminal Gasserian ganglion via the foramen ovale is still one of the classic treatments for primary trigeminal neuralgia. However, the Gasserian ganglion is deep in the middle cranial fossa. Although it is a structure outside the brain tissue, the puncture needle must enter the encephalic to reach the Gasserian ganglion and so it is difficult to completely avoid the risk of intracranial hemorrhage and infection caused by puncture damage to intracranial blood vessels. It is not clear whether if it is possible for RFA at the extracranial non-gasserian-ganglion site via the exit of the cranial channel (foramen ovale) for patients with V3 trigeminal neuralgia (TN). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, clinical research study SETTING: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medical Center, Jiaxing, China. METHODS: One hundred and seven patients with isolated mandibular branch trigeminal neuralgia were included. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation was performed by CT-guided percutaneous puncture through the foramen ovale. The puncture target was the midpoint of the horizontal transverse diameter of the oval foramen. If the tingling sensation in the mandibular nerve innervation area could be detected, the radiofrequency thermocoagulation (90°C, 120 sec) under intravenous anesthesia would be performed. We investigated the inclination angle, puncture angle and depth, puncture operation time, intraoperative complications and short-term and long-term results after operation. RESULTS: After radiofrequency thermocoagulation, the pain in the mandibular branch dominant area was completely diminished in 104 patients. Two patients were cured after the second radiofrequency treatment. No intracranial hemorrhage not infection complications occurred, except for facial hematoma during operation in 21 cases. After 12-24 months of follow-up, 9 patients had recurrence and were still effective after receiving additional extracranial radiofrequency treatment. LIMITATIONS: A control group should be established and more clinical data should be collected in future work. CONCLUSION: Extracranial non-Gasserian-ganglion RF can achieve satisfactory results and improve the safety of radiofrequency treatment for trigeminal neuralgia. KEY WORDS: Trigeminal neuralgia, foramen ovale, trigeminal ganglion

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Controlled thermocoagulation of trigeminal ganglion and rootlets for differential destruction of pain fibers

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/jns.1974.40.2.0143 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 143-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 447

Author(s):

William H. Sweet ◽

James G. Wepsic

Keyword(s):

Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽

Facial Pain ◽

Electrical Heating ◽

Gasserian Ganglion ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Content Type ◽

Corneal Scarring ◽

Radiofrequency Heating ◽

Neurological Morbidity ◽

Fine Print

✓ 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.

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