Trigeminal neuralgia can be treated with stereotactic radiosurgery to the trigeminal nerve. This technique targets the nerve as it exits the brainstem and has shown reasonable efficacy in patients with classic trigeminal neuralgia.
The pain may take 2-3 weeks to resolve, but results are reassuring. This option is preferred in patients who are at high risk for surgery or who have failed surgical decompression or percutaneous procedures.
After imaging and planning is complete, the actual treatment session typically lasts between 30-45 minutes. This procedure is well tolerated, but not without risks. These include failure to improve pain, worsening of pain, facial numbness and brainstem injury. This technique is akin to Gamma Knife® or CyberKnife® therapy.
