Results of Selective Percutaneous Controlled Radiofrequency Lesion for Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia in 240 Patients

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia may be treated in several ways. In the present study, the efficacy of a selective percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) neurolysis in the gasserian ganglion was evaluated in 240 patients. The recurrence rate after a single treatment was 28.3% within 2 years. After multiple treatments (n = 68), the recurrence rate had decreased to 8.3% (n = 20). Thus, the overall success rate at the end of the follow-up period was 91.7%. The mean follow-up period was 50 months (range 12-96 months). Except for corneal anesthesia in 3.7% of the patients, no serious complications occurred.