High-dose Trigeminal Neuralgia Radiosurgery Associated with Increased Risk of Trigeminal Nerve Dysfunction

Neurosurgery ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce E. Pollock ◽  
Loi K. Phuong ◽  
Robert L. Foote ◽  
Scott L. Stafford ◽  
Deborah A. Gorman
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Facial Pain ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Additional Surgery ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Pain Outcomes ◽  
Nerve Dysfunction

Abstract OBJECTIVE Stereotactic radiosurgery is being used with more frequency in the management of patients with trigeminal neuralgia. To improve facial pain outcomes, many centers have increased the prescribed radiation dose to the trigeminal nerve. METHODS Between April 1997 and December 1999, 68 patients underwent radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia with use of the Leksell gamma knife (Elekta Instruments, Norcross, GA) and a single 4-mm isocenter of radiation. Twenty-seven patients (40%) received 70 Gy (low dose) of irradiation and 41 patients (60%) received 90 Gy (high dose). The groups were similar with regard to age, sex, duration of pain, number of prior surgeries, and preexisting trigeminal deficits. The primary facial pain outcomes for analysis were excellent (pain-free, no medications) and good (pain-free, reduced medications). The mean length of follow-up after radiosurgery was 14.4 months (range, 2–36 mo). RESULTS At last follow-up examination, 11 (41%) of the 27 patients with low-dose radiosurgery remained pain-free compared with 25 (61%) of the 41 patients with high-dose radiosurgery (P = 0.17). Additional surgery was performed in 12 low-dose patients (44%) and 8 high-dose patients (20%) (P = 0.05). High-dose radiosurgery was associated with an increased rate of permanent trigeminal nerve dysfunction (54% versus 15%, P = 0.003). Bothersome dysesthesias occurred in 13 high-dose patients (32%), whereas only 1 low-dose patient had this complication (P = 0.01). Three high-dose patients (8%) developed corneal numbness after radiosurgery. Pain recurred with more frequency in patients not developing trigeminal nerve dysfunction after radiosurgery (9 of 22 patients, 41%) compared with those who sustained facial numbness, paresthesias, or dysesthesias (4 of 27 patients, 15%); however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.08). CONCLUSION Higher doses of radiation may correlate with better facial pain outcomes after radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia. However, the incidence of significant trigeminal nerve dysfunction is markedly increased after radiosurgery for patients receiving high-dose radiosurgery. Because of the nonselective nature of this ablative technique, dose prescription should be limited to less than 90 Gy.

High-dose Trigeminal Neuralgia Radiosurgery Associated with Increased Risk of Trigeminal Nerve Dysfunction

Neurosurgery ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce E. Pollock ◽  
Loi K. Phuong ◽  
Robert L. Foote ◽  
Scott L. Stafford ◽  
Deborah A. Gorman
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Nerve Dysfunction

scholarly journals Radiofrequency Thermoablation of the Gasserian Ganglion Versus the Peripheral Branches of the Trigeminal Nerve for Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Randomized, Control Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (22.2) ◽  
pp. 147-154
Author(s):  
Neerja Bharti
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Facial Pain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Gasserian Ganglion ◽  
Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Radiofrequency Thermoablation

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia is the most painful condition of facial pain leading to impairment of routine activities. Although radiofrequency thermoablation (RFT) of the Gasserian ganglion is widely used for the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia in patients having ineffective pain relief with medical therapy, the incidence of complications like hypoesthesia, neuroparalytic keratitis, and masticatory muscles weakness is high. Recent case reports have shown the effectiveness of RFT of the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve for relief of refractory chronic facial pain conditions including trigeminal neuralgia. Objectives: This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of RFT of the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve with RFT of the Gasserian ganglion for the management of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. Study Design: Prospective, randomized, observer-blinded, clinical trial. Setting: Tertiary care hospital and medical education and research institute. Methods: A total of 40 adult patients of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia were randomly allocated into 2 groups. The control group received RFT of the Gasserian ganglion while the study group received RFT of the peripheral branches of trigeminal nerve. The procedures were performed in the operation room under all aseptic precautions with fluoroscopic guidance. Post-procedure, the patients were assessed for loss of sensation along the nerve distribution and the adequacy of pain relief on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). The patients were followed up for 3 month to assess the quality of pain relief by the NRS and the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain intensity scale. Improvement in pain was considered excellent if patients had complete pain relief without any medication, good if there was significant reduction in pain (> 50%) with or without medication, and poor if there was less than 50% reduction in pain with medications. Patients were also assessed for numbness and any other side effects. Patients’ satisfaction with the procedure was recorded. Results: Nineteen patients in the control group and 18 in study group had effective pain relief of up to 3 months. Their pain scores were comparable at all time intervals, though the number of patients receiving supplementary medications was more in study group at 2 months (P = 0.015). The patients showed overall satisfaction score of 8.5 (8-9) and 8 (7-9) in control and study groups respectively. The average procedure duration was 30 (30-38) minutes in the control group and 28 (25-40) minutes in the study group. Most of the patients in both groups had mild numbness after the procedure. One patient in the control group had lower eyelid swelling and another had mild weakness of the masseter muscle, which resolved few days later. No major complication was reported in the study group except for 1 patient who reported local ecchymosis. Limitations: The main limitation of the study is that the patients and the investigator performing the procedure were not blinded, though the person who assessed the patient during follow-up was blinded to the group assignment. Another limitation is that we could not follow up with the patients after 3 months due to time constraints. Conclusion: We found that radiofrequency thermoablation of the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve is an effective and safe procedure for the management of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. Key words: Idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia, radiofrequency thermoablation, Gasserian ganglion, peripheral nerve branches, pain, trigeminal nerve

Partial sensory trigeminal rhizotomy at the pons for trigeminal neuralgia

1993 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 680-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob N. Young ◽  
Robert H. Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Neurovascular Compression ◽  
Recurrent Pain ◽  
Preoperative Pain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Additional Surgery

✓ Microvascular decompression is preferred among open procedures for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. However, in some cases the decompression cannot be performed, either because no significant vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve is found at surgery or because a patient's vascular anatomy makes it unsafe. Partial sensory rhizotomy is a commonly used alternative in these instances. The outcome after partial sensory rhizotomy was reviewed retrospectively in 83 patients with an average follow-up period of 72 months. Sixty-four (77%) of these patients had no evidence of vascular contact at operation. The remaining 19 patients (23%) had vascular structures in proximity to the trigeminal nerve but still underwent partial sensory rhizotomy in place of or in addition to microvascular decompression either because the offending vessel could not be moved adequately (11 cases) or because the vascular contact was considered insignificant (eight cases). Outcome was classified as: excellent if there was no trigeminal neuralgia postoperatively; good if pain persisted or recurred but was less severe than preoperatively; and poor if persistent or recurrent pain was equal to or greater than the preoperative pain in severity and was refractory to medication, or was severe enough to require additional surgery. The outcome was excellent in 40 patients (48%), good in 18 (22%), and poor in 25 (30%); follow-up durations were similar for the three outcome categories. The failure rate was 17% for the 1st year and averaged 2.6% each year thereafter. Two variables were predictive of a poor outcome: prior surgery and lack of preoperative involvement of the third trigeminal division. Major complications occurred in 4% of cases and minor complications in 11%. The authors conclude that partial sensory rhizotomy is a safe and effective alternative to microvascular decompression when neurovascular compression is not identified at operation or when microvascular decompression cannot be performed for technical reasons.

Posterior Fossa Exploration for Trigeminal Neuralgia Patients Older Than 70 Years of Age

Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1255-1260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce E. Pollock ◽  
Kathy J. Stien
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Postoperative Complications ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Basilar Artery ◽  
Facial Pain ◽  
Neurovascular Compression ◽  
Recurrent Pain ◽  
Additional Surgery ◽  
Pain Outcomes

Abstract BACKGROUND Patients with medically unresponsive trigeminal neuralgia (TN) who are >70 years of age often undergo operations that typically provide pain relief for <5 years despite having a life expectancy that can exceed 15 years. OBJECTIVE To review the safety and efficacy of posterior fossa exploration (PFE) for TN patients < 70 years of age. METHODS From 1999 to 2009, 67 TN patients >70 years of age (median, 74 years) underwent a PFE. Thirty-seven patients (55%) had failed ≥1 prior surgeries (median, 2). Fifty-nine patients (88%) had a microvascular decompression, and 8 patients (12%) underwent a partial sensory rhizotomy. Follow-up (median, 40 months) was censored at the time of last contact (n = 51), additional surgery (n = 12), or death (n = 4). RESULTS Complete pain relief (no pain, no medications) was 87% at 1 year and 78% at 5 years. Facial pain outcomes did not correlate with patient age, sex, prior surgery, or pain duration. Postoperative complications were noted in 10 patients (15%) and included ataxia (10%), hearing loss (5%), trigeminal dysesthesias (5%), facial weakness (3%), aseptic meningitis (2%), and pulmonary embolus (2%). Factors associated with postoperative complications were prior PFE (P = .01) and neurovascular compression from a dolicoectatic basilar artery (P = .03). CONCLUSION Posterior fossa exploration is safe and effective for physiologically healthy TN patients >70 years of age. It should be deferred in older patients with TN secondary to a dolicoectatic basilar artery and patients who have persistent/recurrent pain after a previous PFE unless simpler procedures prove ineffective at controlling their facial pain.

Percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy for patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia: a prospective analysis of factors related to pain relief

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce E. Pollock
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Facial Pain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Glycerol Injection ◽  
Pain Outcomes ◽  
Pain Outcome ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The goal of this study was to analyze prospectively factors associated with facial pain outcomes after percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy (PRGR) for patients with medically unresponsive idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. Methods. Between July 1999 and December 2003, 98 patients underwent PRGR in the manner described by Håkanson. The mean patient age was 72.1 years and the average pain duration prior to PRGR was 8.6 years. Fifty patients (51%) had previously undergone surgery. In six patients (6%), the trigeminal cistern could not be defined and the procedure was aborted; six patients were lost to follow-up review. An excellent facial pain outcome was defined as the absence of facial pain without medications. Thirty-two (35%) of 92 patients either received no benefit (17 patients) or experienced recurrent pain (15 patients) and required additional surgery at a mean of 7.5 months after PRGR; the mean duration of follow-up review in the other 60 patients was 28.7 months (range 3–52 months). Including patients who did not receive a glycerol injection, the 1- and 3-year chances of an excellent facial pain outcome were 61 and 50%, respectively. A multivariate analysis of clinical and surgical factors showed that the facial pain exhibited on glycerol injection correlated with excellent facial pain outcomes (relative risk [RR] = 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26–1.77; p < 0.01), whereas patients who experienced any constant pain less frequently had excellent outcomes (RR = 1.13; 95% CI 0.06–2.20; p = 0.04). Forty-six patients (53%) experienced either mild numbness/parathesias (39 patients) or dysesthesias (seven patients). New trigeminal deficits after PRGR were associated with excellent facial pain outcomes (RR = 1.25; 95% CI 0.56–1.93; p < 0.001). Conclusions. Percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy remains a good operation for patients with medically unresponsive trigeminal neuralgia who are considered poor candidates for posterior fossa exploration. Predictive factors for success include patients without any constant facial pain, patients with immediate facial pain during glycerol injection, and patients with new trigeminal deficits after PRGR.

scholarly journals Comparison of posterior fossa exploration and stereotactic radiosurgery in patients with previously nonsurgically treated idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia

2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce E. Pollock
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Stereotactic Radiosurgery ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Facial Pain ◽  
Primary Surgery ◽  
Initial Surgery ◽  
Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Additional Surgery ◽  
Pain Outcomes ◽  
Facial Numbness

Object Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is commonly performed in patients with trigeminal neuralgia, and numerous investigators have found that facial pain outcomes after this procedure are better for patients in whom prior surgery did not fail. Researchers in some centers claim that the results of SRS are equivalent to posterior fossa exploration (PFE). The goal in this study was to verify that claim. Methods Information was retrieved from a prospectively maintained database of patients less than 70 years old with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia who underwent PFE (55 patients) or SRS (28 patients) as their initial surgery between 1999 and 2004. Of the two groups, patients who underwent radiosurgery were older (60.5 compared with 50.7 years, p < 0.001). Microvascular decompression was performed in 49 patients (89%) and partial nerve section was performed in six (11%) in the PFE group. The mean maximum dose for SRS was 89.1 Gy. At a mean follow-up duration of 25.5 months, patients who had undergone PFE were more commonly pain free without medications (75% at 1 year, 72% at 3 years) compared with the patients treated with SRS (59% at 1 and 3 years; p = 0.01). Additional surgery was performed in 10 patients (18%) after PFE, compared with eight patients (29%) after SRS (p = 0.4). Eight patients (15%) had either new facial numbness (six cases) or dysesthesias (two cases) after PFE, whereas 12 (43%) had either new facial numbness (eight cases) or dysesthesias (four cases) after SRS. No correlation was noted between the development of facial numbness and facial pain outcome after PFE (p = 0.37), whereas patients in whom trigeminal dysfunction developed after radiosurgery were more frequently free of pain (p = 0.02). Conclusions The results support PFE as a more effective primary surgery than SRS in patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. Moreover, injury to the trigeminal nerve during PFE is not required to achieve excellent facial pain outcomes.

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