Trigeminal neuralgia--management decisions.

A discussion of some issues presented by the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment and results of management of tic douloureux shows how necessary it is to maintain functional integrity of the trigeminal nerve. In pursuit of insight into some of the issues, the outcome in 49 patients, who had a radiofrequency coagulation of the trigeminal ganglion, is outlined. These results are compared in anecdotal manner with the effects of microvascular surgical intervention to release compression of the trigeminal nerve in the posterior fossa.