Treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia with radiofrequency thermocoagulation on semilunar ganglion

Objective To observe the clinical effects and complications of primary trigeminal neuralgia treatment with radiofrequency thermocoagulation on gasserian ganglion.Methods Under the guidance of C-arm or DSA and with Hartel method,we percutaneously punctured the oval foramen to gasserian ganglion and performed radiofrequency thermocoagulation on it with thermocontrol at 76-80 ℃ for 1-2 minutes,3-4 times.Results Pain was completed eliminated in 53 of the 56 patients,which was regarded as degree Ⅰ of clinical cure with the curativeness rate being 96.4%;1 case was of degree Ⅱ;1 case was of degree Ⅲ;1 case had no effect.The rate of satisfactory effectiveness was 96.4% and the total rate of efficacy was 98.2%.No severe complications were observed.Conclusion Radiofrequency thermocoagulation is a safe and effective method to treat primary trigeminal neuralgia with few severe complications.