Multiple cranial nerve palsies following radiofrequency ablation for trigeminal neuralgia.

Abstract

A 33-year-old man developed diffuse subarachnoid haemorrhage following attempted radiofrequency ablation for trigeminal neuralgia. Over the next 2 weeks, he progressively developed multiple bilateral cranial nerve palsies, bilateral cerebellar signs, hypotonia of all four limbs and diminished vision in both eyes. A visual-evoked potential study revealed anterior visual pathway defect. A possibility of demyelination was considered and he was treated with corticosteroids. His neurological deficits improved gradually over the next 4 months. He later underwent microvascular decompression uneventfully with good pain relief. This complication has not been reported earlier and needs to be kept in mind while performing radiofrequency ablation.

• Authors: K R Madhusudan Reddy, A Arivazhagan, B A Chandramouli, G S Umamaheswara Rao
• Journal: British journal of neurosurgery (Br J Neurosurg) Vol. 22 Issue 6 Pg. 781-3 (Dec 2008) ISSN: 1360-046X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18661314 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Catheter Ablation (adverse effects)
• Cranial Nerve Diseases (etiology)
• Demyelinating Diseases (drug therapy, etiology)
• Evoked Potentials, Visual (physiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (etiology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Trigeminal Neuralgia (surgery)
• Vision Disorders (etiology)