Technique and Results of 800 Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermocoagulations for Trigeminal Neuralgia

  • G. R. Nugent

Abstract

In the early 1930’s Kirschner popularized the electrocoagulation of the Gasserian ganglion for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. He used a very imaginative stereotaxic device which facilitated penetration of the foramen ovale and a large series of patients was treated with this technique (2). In the early 1970’s Sweet introduced a refinement of this technique utilizing radiofrequency current which brought about a measure of control to the technique not possible with the electrocoagulation of Kirschner (4). The technique of Sweet is widely used in this country as well as other parts of the world.

Keywords

Trigeminal Neuralgia Sensory Deficit Hemifacial Spasm Facial Paralysis Gasserian Ganglion 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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References

  1. 1.
    Jannetta, P.J.: Observations on the etiology of trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, acoustic nerve dysfunction, and glossopharyngeal neuralgia: Definitive microsurgical treatment and results in 117 patients. Neurochirurgia. 20, 145–154 (1977)PubMedGoogle Scholar
  2. 2.
    Kirschner, M.: Zur Behandlung der Trigeminus Neuralgie. Med. Wochenschr. 89, 235–239 (1942)Google Scholar
  3. 3.
    Nugent, G.R., Berry, B.: Trigeminal neuralgia treated by differential percutaneous radiofrequency coagulation of the Gasserian ganglion. J. Neurosurg. 40, 517–523 (1974)PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  4. 4.
    Sweet, W.H., Wepsic, S.G.: Controlled thermocoagulations of trigeminal ganglion and results for differential destruction of pain fibers. J. Neurosurg. 39, 143–156 (1974)Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1982

Authors and Affiliations

  • G. R. Nugent

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