| 제목 | What kinds of treatments exist? (Trigeminal neuralgia) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | 관리자 | Date | 2014-07-02 |
내용
What kinds of treatments exist?
Medical Therapy
An anticonvulsant called Tegretol is used and in order to increase the effect, other anticonvulsants or muscle relaxants are also used with it. However, effects decrease in long-term use and side effects can occur so in many cases, so surgery must be done eventually.
There are many surgery methods to treat trigeminal neuralgia, but microvascular decompression and percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy are most the most widely-used.
Different surgery methods have their strengths and weaknesses so they are being chosen according to each patient. However, generally if the patient is not at significant risk to undergo general anesthesia, microvascular decompression is recommended.
Microvascular Decompression
It is a method that separates the blood vessels that are pressuring the origin of the trigeminal root and inserts surgical equipment called Teflon felt between the blood vessels and the trigeminal root. The method has shown about 85% success rate and given great results recently with the use of intraoperative monitoring to minimize complications. However, in rare cases, serious complications such as hearing loss, facial palsy, and brain edema can occur.
Percutaneous Radiofrequency Rhizotomy
It is a method that is commonly used due to its safe procedure and the exceptional pain relief effect.
Local anesthesia is used and a needle is inserted to the lateral region of the mouth while looking through an X-ray. The trigeminal nerve that causes the pain is located and the nerve itself is destroyed using high frequency.
This method is used as the first option for patients over 70 years old or patients who have bad health and cannot undergo general anesthesia.
However, since this method is one of the destroying methods, the patient may experience paresthesia or loss of sense in the area that was treated.
Local anesthesia is used and a needle is inserted to the lateral region of the mouth while looking through an X-ray. The trigeminal nerve that causes the pain is located and the nerve itself is destroyed using high frequency.
This method is used as the first option for patients over 70 years old or patients who have bad health and cannot undergo general anesthesia.
However, since this method is one of the destroying methods, the patient may experience paresthesia or loss of sense in the area that was treated.
Gamma knife surgery
High dose of radiation is used on the trigeminal nerve to treat the pain. It is a method that requires precision with the use of MRI and a computer.
