Efficacy of glycerol rhizotomy in trigeminal neuralgia: case-series

, Zuhair Abbas Al-Khafaji; , Methaq Ali Ahmed

	Efficacy of glycerol rhizotomy in trigeminal neuralgia: case-series
Al-Qadisiah Medical Journal
Article 1, Volume 14, Issue 1, 2018, Pages 9-17 PDF (0 K)
Authors
Zuhair Abbas Al-Khafaji; Methaq Ali Ahmed
Abstract
Treatment of trigeminal neurolagia by percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy was assessed in a series of 45 patients during the period from May 2008 through June 2012 with a follow up period ranging from 2 to 24 months postoperatively. All patients enrolled in the present study were considered medical failures before the procedure. Achievement of substantial pain relief was reported in 42 patients (93.3 %) and no further medical treatment was needed. Outcome also included reduction in facial sensation in 30 patients (66.7 %) and recurrence in 4 patients (8.9 %). Failure of treatment was seen in 3 patients (6.7 %). Conclusion: percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy offers safe and reliable relief of pain in patients with trigeminal neuralgia; low recurrence rate and long lasting reduction in facial sensations are the major disadvantages; nonetheless, it is by far, in our opinion, the method of choice in elderly particularly high risk patients.
Keywords
trigeminal neuralgia; glycerol rhizotomy

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