Percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia. A prospective study of 100 cases.

Abstract

A prospective study of percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy (PRGR) with and without metrizamide trigeminal cisternography is reported in the treatment of the trigeminal neuralgia. A series of 100 patients with typical trigeminal neuralgia were allocated randomly to two treatment groups: Group I patients received PRGR with trigeminal cisternography (50 cases) and Group II patients received PRGR without trigeminal cisternography (50 cases). The results indicate that PRGR without trigeminal cisternography is a valid alternative to the original technique. Factors that assured the accurate performance of the modified technique proposed in this study were: spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid drainage; radiologically confirmed placement of the thin spinal needle at the clival edge into the trigeminal impression of the petrous apex and in the center of the foramen ovale; a positive response to the glycerol test; clinical control of the final glycerol injection; and an alert and cooperating patient throughout the entire procedure.

• Authors: M J Arias
• Journal: Journal of neurosurgery (J Neurosurg) Vol. 65 Issue 1 Pg. 32-6 (Jul 1986) ISSN: 0022-3085 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3712027 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Glycerol

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Glycerol (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Methods
• Middle Aged
• Preoperative Care
• Prospective Studies
• Radiography
• Trigeminal Nerve (surgery)
• Trigeminal Neuralgia (diagnostic imaging, surgery)