Effect of X-ray guided semilunar ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation on primary trigeminal neuralgia through oval foramen (368 cases report)

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safeness of X-ray guided semilunar ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation through oval foramen in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Methods Three hundred and sixty-eight patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia, admitted to our hospital from July 2011 to July 2014, were successfully treated with X-ray guided semilunar ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation through oval foramen. Three, 30 and 90 d after treatment, the treatment effectiveness was evaluated. The recurrence rates were calculated one and two years after treatment or to the date of their relapses to hospital. Results All patients showed obvious pain relief, with visual analogue scale scores decreasing from 8.82±0.84 to 1.14±0.91, to 0.40±0.58, and then to 0.18±0.38 on 3rd, 30th and 90th d. Their qualities of sleep were improved: quality of sleep scale scores dropped from 3.75±0.73 to 2.18±0.66, to 1.37±0.48, and then to 1.02±0.15, respectively. Meanwhile, patient satisfaction was increased: as patient satisfaction scale scores reduced from 2.90±0.34 to 1.35±0.58, to 1.10±0.30, and then to 1.06±0.24, respectively. The main complications were masticatory muscle weakness in 67 patients (7.34%), and corneal hypesthesia in 20 patients (2.45%). Postoperative recurrence rate was 5.71% in one year, and 21.20% in two years. The mean time of effective therapeutic duration was 22.33±12.70 months. Conclusions X-ray guided semilunar ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation through oval foramen is effective and safe for the treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia, enjoying no severe complications and low recurrence rate. Key words: Trigeminal neuralgia; Semilunar ganglion; Radiofrequency thermocoagulation; Oval foramen