Clinical comparison of radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the trigeminal gasserian ganglion and maxillary nerve for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia
Xiong Tiegen
Wu Xiaona
Li Zhensheng
Yang Hongjun
Abstract：Objective To compare the therapeutic efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PRT) of the trigeminal gasserian ganglion (TGG) and maxillary nerve in patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (ITN) in the maxillary area. Methods Forty-two ITN patients in the maxillary area were randomly divided into TGG and maxillary groups. The patients in TGG group (n=21) received PRT of the TGG via foramen ovale under X-ray, while the patients in maxillary group (n=21) received PRT of the maxillary nerve via pterygopalatine fossa. Then the visual analog pain scale (VAS) and complications were compared between the two groups before operation, after intraoperative analgesia, and the first day, second day, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year after operation. Results The efficiency rate after intraoperative analgesia was 100%in both groups. The therapeutic efficacy was better (P<0.05) but the incidence rate of masticatory muscle weakness higher (P<0.05) in TGG group than in maxillary group at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after operation. Conclusions PRT of the TGG and maxillary nerve are effective for ITN in the maxillary region. PRT of the TGG has better analgesic effect but more complications.
Keywords：trigeminal neuralgiatrigeminal nervegasserian ganglionmaxillary nerveradiofrequency thermocoagulation
Publication Date：2015-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：3( 300-302 )