Results of selective percutaneous controlled radiofrequency lesion for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in 240 patients.

Trigeminal neuralgia may be treated in several ways. In the present study, the efficacy of a selective percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) neurolysis in the gasserian ganglion was evaluated in 240 patients. The recurrence rate after a single treatment was 28.3% within 2 years. After multiple treatments (n = 68), the recurrence rate had decreased to 8.3% (n = 20). Thus, the overall success rate at the end of the follow-up period was 91.7%. The mean follow-up period was 50 months (range 12-96 months). Except for corneal anesthesia in 3.7% of the patients, no serious complications occurred.