Balloon compression of the Gasserian ganglion for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

The authors describe the results of the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia by balloon microcompression of the Gasserian ganglion. One hundred and eighty-seven procedures were performed in 158 patients. There were no deaths or complications of clinical importance and pain was relieved in all patients. It was concluded that the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia by the microcompression method is safe, simple, cheap, and is especially recommended in cases of pain affecting the first division of the trigeminal nerve and in clinically ill or non-cooperative patients.