Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation on Trigeminal Neuralgia -Two cases report-

Trigeminal neuralgia is a disease of intermittent short lasting facial pain but most severe pain from which mankind suffers. It's treatment usually depends on medication, microvascular decompression surgery, and nerve block such as trigeminal nerve block, retrogasserrian ganglion block and radiofrequency destruction of gasserian ganglion. Here we report two cases performed radiofrequency(RF) thermocoagulation with TEW-TC cannular in a recurred trigeminal neuralgia patient after microvascular decompression and an inoperable patient due to hypertensive cerebral infarction. After the paresthesia and masseter muscle contracture test at 50 Hz - 0.2 volt and 2 Hz - 0.6 volt respectively, RF lesionings were performed for 60 sec at 60oC and 60 sec at 65oC. One patient got relief of pain completely and has been achieved over 8 months with mild hypoesthesia on face and the other patient got incomplete pain relief without hypoesthesia even though has satisfied over 7 months. Radiofrequency thermocogulation is a safe procedure that can be well controlled and less invasive even though inoperable or recurred trigeminal neuralgia patient.ope