A 12-month prospective study of gasserian ganglion stimulation for trigeminal neuropathic pain.

Abstract

AIMS:

Trigeminal neuropathic pain is a broad diagnostic category that includes pain of several etiologies and excludes trigeminal neuralgia. The authors report a prospective series of percutaneous gasserian ganglion stimulation for trigeminal neuropathic pain.

METHODS:

Patients who experienced >50% reduction in pain from a 7- to 10-day trial period underwent permanent implantation and were prospectively followed.

RESULTS:

Eight of 10 trialed patients received a permanent implant. At the 12-month follow-up, 2 patients had been explanted and 1 was lost to follow-up. Three (all working at that the time) continued to experience >50% improvement in pain.

DISCUSSION:

The results in this series were variable but 3 patients showed long-term improvements. Patients who continued to work responded better to treatment.

• Authors: A Machado, M Ogrin, J M Rosenow, J M Henderson
• Journal: Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery (Stereotact Funct Neurosurg) Vol. 85 Issue 5 Pg. 216-24 ( 2007) ISSN: 1011-6125 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 17534134 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Disability Evaluation
• Electric Stimulation Therapy (methods)
• Electrodes, Implanted
• Employment
• Female
• Fluoroscopy
• Heart Septum (diagnostic imaging)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pain Measurement
• Prospective Studies
• Quality of Life
• Stereotaxic Techniques
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Trigeminal Ganglion (physiopathology)
• Trigeminal Neuralgia (physiopathology, therapy)