Indication for thermocoagulation of the Gasserian ganglion is trigeminal neuralgia resistant to pharmacologic treatment, which either is not effective or cannot be applied due to its side effects. In Pain Clinic of Clinic of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care in Warsaw in the period from July of 2008 to June of 2011 there were 31 thermocoagulation procedures performed in 19 patients. Age of the patients varied between 46 and 86 years. The time of symptoms was between 2 and 30 years and pain was of intermittent character and its intensity in NRS was between 8 and 10 points. Thermocogulation was performed on ambulatory basis but in conditions of an operating room. Image of the foramen ovale was received through proper positioning of the patients and adjustment of the X-ray C-arm. Location of the tip of the electrode was verified by the C-arm, sensory and motor stimulation and injection of a dye. Time of the procedure was 60 seconds. In 18 patients a decrease in pain lasted from 7 to 24 months was reached. For one patient data has been missing. In none of the patients no serious adverse effects were noted.
Abstract
Indication for thermocoagulation of the Gasserian ganglion is trigeminal neuralgia resistant to pharmacologic treatment, which either is not effective or cannot be applied due to its side effects. In Pain Clinic of Clinic of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care in Warsaw in the period from July of 2008 to June of 2011 there were 31 thermocoagulation procedures performed in 19 patients. Age of the patients varied between 46 and 86 years. The time of symptoms was between 2 and 30 years and pain was of intermittent character and its intensity in NRS was between 8 and 10 points. Thermocogulation was performed on ambulatory basis but in conditions of an operating room. Image of the foramen ovale was received through proper positioning of the patients and adjustment of the X-ray C-arm. Location of the tip of the electrode was verified by the C-arm, sensory and motor stimulation and injection of a dye. Time of the procedure was 60 seconds. In 18 patients a decrease in pain lasted from 7 to 24 months was reached. For one patient data has been missing. In none of the patients no serious adverse effects were noted.
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