Abstract
In a retrospective study of 206 patients diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia (TN), we examined the results of percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) of the Gasserian ganglion performed by the same surgeon from September 1991 to November 2005. In these patients, 230 procedures were done. All patients had clinical follow-up for a minimum of 3 years while being evaluated for any recurrence of the symptoms. Initial pain relief was complete in 214 operated patients (93%) while in 16 operated patients (7%) it was not. From those, nine patients had another PBC performed immediately with eight of them becoming pain free while the remaining seven patients opted for medical treatment. From that last group, we found that six patients ended up experiencing resolution of their symptoms. In total, only 2 patients (1%) from the original 206 did not improve initially, while 99% had an excellent response. After a 3-year follow-up, only 35 patients (15%) had developed recurrent symptoms. In the majority of cases, the recurrence occurred between 2 and 3 year intervals (16 patients). There was no mortality. The low cost, low morbidity, low recurrence rate and high positive results make this procedure a valid option in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia refractory to medical treatment.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cruccu G, Leandri M, Feliciani M, et al. (1990) Idiopathic and symptomatic trigeminal pain. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry; 53:1034–1042.
Merskey H, Bogduk N. (1994) Classification of Chronic Pain: Descriptions of Chronic Pain Syndromes and Definitions of Pain Terms. Seattle: IASP, pp 59–71.
Olesen J. (2004) Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society. The International Classification of Headache Disorders: 2nd ed. Cephalalgia; 24(suppl 1):9–160.
Katusic S, Williams DB, Beard CM, et al. (1991) Epidemiology and clinical features of idiopathic trigeminasafest l neuralgia and glossopharyngeal neuralgia: similarities and differences, Rochester, Minnesota, 1945–1984. Neuroepidemiology; 10:276–281.
Gronseth G, et al. (2008) Practice parameter. The diagnostic evaluation and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. An evidence based review. Neurology; 71:1183–1190.
Campbell FG, Graham JG, Zilkha KJ. (1966) Clinical trial of carbamazepine (Tegretol) in trigeminal neuralgia. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry; 29:265–267.
Killian JM, Fromm GH. (1968) Carbamazepine in the treatment of neuralgia. Arch Neurol; 19:129–136.
Rockcliff BW, Davis EH. (1996) Controlled sequential trials of carbamazepine in trigeminal neuralgia. Arch Neurol; 15:129–136.
Sato J, Saitoh T, Notani K, et al. (2004) Diagnostic significance of carbamazepine and trigger zones in trigeminal neuralgia. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol; 97:18–22.
Beydoun A. (2000) Safety and efficacy of oxcarbazepine: results of randomized, double-blind trials. Pharmacotherapy; 20:152S–158S.
Lechin F, van der Dijs B, Lechin ME, et al. (1989) Pimozide therapy for trigeminal neuralgia. Arch Neurol; 46:960–963.
Khan OA. (1998) Gabapentin relieves trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis patients. Neurology; 51:611–614.
Zakrzewska JM, Chaudhry Z, Nurmikko TJ, et al. (1997) Lamotrigine (Lamictal) in refractory trigeminal neuralgia: results from a double-blind placebo controlled crossover trial. Pain; 73:223–230.
Fromm GH, Aumentado D, Terrence CF. (1993) A clinical and experimental investigation of the effects of tizanidine in trigeminal neuralgia. Pain; 53:265–271.
Tatli M, Satici O, Kanpolat Y, Sindou M. (2008) Various surgical modalities for trigeminal neuralgia: literature study of respective long-term outcomes. Acta Neurochir (Wien); 150(3):243–255.
Mullan S, Lichtor T. (1983) Percutaneous microcompression of the trigeminal ganglion for trigeminal neuralgia. J Neurosurg; 59(6):1007–1012.
Brown JA. (2004) Trigeminal neuralgia-percutaneous trigeminal nervecompression in Follett KA. (ed). Neurosurgical Pain Management. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders, pp 214–218
Skirving DJ, Dan NG. (2001) A 20 year review of percutaneous balloon compression of the trigeminal ganglion. J Neurosurg; 94(6):913–917.
Brown JA. (2004) Percutaneous technique in Youmans JR. (ed). Neurological Surgery, ed 5. New York: Saunders, vol 3 pp 2996–3004.
Pagni CA, Fariselli L, Zeme S. (2008) Trigeminal neuralgia. Non invasive techniques versus microvascular decompression. It is really available any further improvement? Acta Neurochir Suppl; 101:27–33.
Lobata RD, Rivas JJ, Sarabia R, Lamas E. (1990) Percutaneous microcompression of the gasserian ganglion for trigeminal neuralgia. J Neurosurg; 72:546–553.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer-Verlag/Wien
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Baabor, M.G., Perez-Limonte, L. (2011). Percutaneous Balloon Compression of the Gasserian Ganglion for the Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia: Personal Experience of 206 Patients. In: Alexandre, A., Masini, M., Menchetti, P. (eds) Advances in Minimally Invasive Surgery and Therapy for Spine and Nerves. Acta Neurochirurgica Supplementum, vol 108. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-99370-5_39
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-99370-5_39
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna
Print ISBN: 978-3-211-99369-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-211-99370-5
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)