Micro-invasive CT guided therapy for trigeminal neuralgia and atypical facial pain

Summary

One hundred and ninety-four micro-invasive computed tomography (CT) guided treatments were performed on 21 patients, who suffered from trigeminal neuralgia (n = 9) or atypical facial pain (n = 12). The masticator space (n = 99) was the usual site of injection. Peripheral injections (n = 78) were used when peripheral pathology was seen on CT. The superior cervical ganglion was blocked (n = 17) if vegetative disorders were a major complaint. A crystalline solution of corticosteroids and local anaesthetics was used. The mean follow-up time was 16 months. Results indicate that CT guided treatment is effective in trigeminal neuralgia and even more effective in atypical facial pain.

Key Words:

• trigeminal neuralgia
• atypical facial pain
• CT guidance
• corticosteroids