Gamma Knife Treatment for Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia
Abstract：Objective To evaluate the role of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (RS) in the management ofmedically refractory trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods 46 cases with primary trigeminal neuralgiatreated by gamma knife using MRfor stereotactic localization. The 4mm secondary collimator helmet anda radiosurgical dose maximum of 70～90Gy were used. The isocenter was placed at the trigeminal senso-ry root adjacent to the pons identified on stereotactic MRI scans. Realts Outcome was evaluated usinga standardized questionnaire. Pain before and after RS was scored as level Ⅰ-Ⅳ (Ⅰ: no pain; Ⅱ: occa-sional pain, not requiring medication; Ⅲ: some pain, controlled with medication; Ⅳ: some pain, notcontrolled with medication). Among our 46 TN patients, 26(56. 5%) experienced pain relief, Ⅱ in 9(19. 5%), Ⅲ in 7(15.2%) , and Ⅳ in 4 (8.6%). 4 cases recurred that received the second time ofgamma knife treatment, and all of them have a good effect. 3 patients (6.5%) developed delayed loss offacial sensation following treatment, but no other complications were noted. Conclusions We believethat Gamma Knife radiosurgery is one of the safest and most effective treatments which are currentlyavailable for trigeminal neuralgia. We recommend early radiosurgical treatmentfor trigeminal neuralgiaonce the diagnosis is clearly established.
Keywords：Trigeminal neuralgia Gamma knife Radiosurgery
Publication Date：2003-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：3( 442-444 )