Percutaneous microcompression of the trigeminal ganglion for trigeminal neuralgia

TLDR

The procedure is a percutaneous simplification of the older Taarnhøj‑Sheldon‑Pudenz operation. A 4 mm Fogarty balloon catheter was inserted under brief general anesthesia with biplane fluoroscopy, and patients were followed for 0.5–4.5 years. In 50 patients, percutaneous microcompression of the trigeminal ganglion produced a 12 % recurrence rate over 0.5–4.5 years, projected to rise to 20 % within five years—comparable to other established procedures—while offering patient comfort, procedural ease, no mortality, and minimal morbidity. No additional information.

Abstract

Fifty patients were treated for trigeminal neuralgia by percutaneous microcompression of the trigeminal ganglion. A No. 4 Fogarty balloon catheter was inserted under brief general anesthesia, using biplane fluoroscopy. This procedure is essentially a percutaneous simplication of the older Taarnhøj-Sheldon-Pudenz operation. The follow-up period ranged from 0.5 to 4.5 years. Pain recurred in 12% of cases during that time, and it is anticipated that within 5 years the recurrence rate will reach 20%, which is approximately the same rate as for the alternative established procedures. The advantages of this technique are freedom from discomfort on the part of the patient, a remarkable ease of performance on the part of the operator, absence of associated mortality, and a minimal morbidity rate.