GAMMA-KNIFE RADIOSURGERY FOR TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Radiosurgery is one of the surgical treatments of trigeminal neuralgia . Through precise irradiation of the proximal trigeminal nerve identif ied on high-resolution imaging, pain relief can be achieved after a sh ort latency interval. This image-guided approach has been useful for b oth patients with persistent gain after other surgeries, and as a prim ary surgical option. A minimum dose of 70 Gy delivered with the gamma knife has been associated with low risk for facial numbness, and no ot her morbidity. Management of trigeminal neuralgia without an incision, transfacial needle placement or nerve section may prove useful to inc reasing numbers of patients.