SELECTIVE RADIOFREQUENCY THERMOCOAGULATION GUIDED WITH C ARM X RAY FLUOROSCOPY POSITIONING FOR TREATMENT OF TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Objective: To assess the efficacy of radiofrequency thermocoagulation on the treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia guided with C arm X ray fluoroscopy in short-term,mid-term,and long-term prospect.Methods: 82 cases were positioned by X ray fluoroscopy,then treated with radiofrequency thermocoagulation.Temperatures were set at 70℃,80℃ and 86℃,respectively.The thermocoagulation duration was 60 seconds.The outcomes of short-term and side effects were observed nearly post-treatment.The effects in mid-term and long-term prospect were assessed in secondary follow-up.Results: All the cases got an immediate pain relief and one case had keratitis after procedure(1.22%).During the follow up,40 patients were visited.9 patients reoccurred(22.5%).Conclusion: Selective radiofrequency thermocoagulation guided with C arm X fluoroscopy for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia is a minimally invasive,safe,and effective method,the recurred cases in mid-term and long-term post-treatment might get satisfactory effects with repeat procedures.