CT-guide positioning in radiofrequency thermocoagulation to treat trigeminal neuralgia

Objective To evaluate and expound the application of CT-guide positioning in radiofrequency thermocoagulation to treat trigeminal neuralgia.Methods A total of 132 patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia were treated by radiofrequency thermocoagulation via the Harte anterior approach under CT guidance.All cases were followed up postoperatively.Results Among the 132 patients,postoperative successful rate was 100%.Immediate pain-relief rate after operation was 99.2%,short-term pain-relief rate was 96.2%,and recurrent rate was 3.8%.The long-term relief rate was 90.2% and recurrent rate was 9.8%.No serious complication occurred in all of the patients.Corneal paralysis was noted in 1 case and facial numbness was in 103 cases(78%).Conclusion Under GT-guide positioning,the radiofrequency thermocoagulation by means of puncture technique through the foramen ovale can greatly increase the successful rate of treatment and decrease the incidence of postoperative complications.