Repeat CyberKnife Radiosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia: Outcomes and Complications.

BACKGROUND

CyberKnife radiosurgery (RS), as an initial first treatment, is recognized as an efficient and safe modality for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). However, knowledge on repeat CyberKnife RS in refractory cases is limited. The objective was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of repeat CyberKnife RS for TN.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 33 patients with refractory TN treated a second time with CyberKnife RS from 2009 to 2021. The median follow-up period after the second RS was 26.0 months (range 0.3-115.8). The median dose for the repeat RS was 60 Gy (range 60.0-70.0). Pain relief after the intervention was assessed using the Barrow Neurological Institute scale for pain (I-V). Scores I to IIIb were classified as an adequate pain relief and scores IV-V were classified as a treatment failure.

RESULTS

After the second RS, initial adequate pain relief was achieved in 87.9% of cases. The actuarial probabilities of maintaining an adequate pain relief at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 92.1%, 74.0%, 58.2%, and 58.2%, respectively. Regarding sustained pain relief, there was no significant difference between the first and the second RS. Sensory toxicity after the first RS was predictive of a better outcome following the second RS. The onset of hypesthesia rate was the same after the first or the second RS (21%).

CONCLUSION

Repeat RS is an effective and safe method for the treatment of refractory TN.